Consultaions with childern and young people about voilence.

Consultations with children and young people about violence what children had to say

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Summary of findings

The Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People undertook focus groups with 202 children and young people in seven schools across NSW. They were asked three key questions:

  1. What does violence mean to you?
  2. Where are the locations that violence happens to children and y oung people?
  3. What should happen in your communities to stop violence against children and young people?

Key findings

Children and young people conceptualise violence as physical, e motional and sexual and that it can happen to anyone, not just certain t ypes of children and young people.

Overwhelmingly, children and young people reported that violence against children and young people takes place anywhere and everywhere – both in private and in public spaces, in “safe places” and “even wit h people you trust.”

Children and young people had many ideas to help stop violence against children and young people:

What does violence mean to you?

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It can come under as sexual, emotional, physical, mental and it can really impact someone’s life as they go through it.

Children and young people’s recommendations

  • Campaign to raise awareness about violence against children and young people
  • Compulsory education in schools for all children and young people about what violence is and what help is available
  • Child rights education for all children and young people
  • Free parenting courses
  • Safe houses for children and young people that can be accessed through schools
  • Professionals and other adults to check-in with children and young people
Mandatory check-ups for parents with a history of substance abuse or violence
  1. Safety alert system for children in emergency situations
  2. Children and young people should be able to report incidences of violence anonymously so the issue is not taken further if they don’t want it to be.
  3. Have a specific helpline for children and young people to teport violence
  4. Children and young people want to be asked what they would like to happen and to develop a plan together with the intervening adult
  5. More shelters for boys and men
  6. Stricter enforcement of laws for offenders
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