Supporting children affected by domestic violence

THE NSW GOVERNMENT has extended funding to deliver specialist support to children and young people who accompany their mothers to women’s refuges in Lismore.

The Specialist Workers for Children and Young People program recognises children and young people as victim-survivors in their own right.

It offers an individualised support plan to help break the pattern of violence and prevent intergenerational trauma.

The government has invested $48.1 million to expand and extend the program, ensuring 21 existing contracts have funding certainty to June 2026, and a further 10 contracts receive new funding.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said the extra funding means 1800 children and young people will now have access to support from more than 55 specialist workers in 32 refuges across regional and metropolitan NSW every year.

“This investment is crucial and will provide life-changing assistance for children and young people as they recover from past trauma,” Ms Harrison said.

The Northern NSW Homelessness Support Service for Women Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence is one of the services that will benefit from the extended funding.

The service launched in 2022, and has provided significant support to vulnerable women and children across LGAs including Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Tweed.

Under the expansion, the program will now also cover the Northern NSW Homelessness Support Service for Aboriginal Women Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence. Both services are led by Momentum Collective.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said domestic and family violence can have a devastating impact on children and young people, whether they have witnessed or directly suffered abuse.

“This early intervention program run by Momentum Collective works to disrupt the cycle of violence and empowers children and young people to build a future free from violence.”

The Specialist Workers for Children and Young People program, provides a path to recovery for children and young people from 0 to 18 years of age, staying in refuges with their mothers after escaping domestic and family violence.

The financial boost to the program forms part of the NSW Government’s $245.6 million emergency package to reduce the rate of violence against women and children in NSW.