Arabic version: برنامج نيو ساوث ويلز يساعد الأطفال على التعافي من العنف المنزلي

Claire, a mother who fled a violent household with her four-year-old daughter, credits a specialist support program in New South Wales for aiding her child’s recovery. When they arrived at a women’s refuge in outer Sydney, the child was “barely able to speak clearly” due to trauma and a diagnosis of autism and global developmental delay.

According to ABC News, the Specialist Workers for Children and Young People (SWCYP) program was designed to assist youth experiencing family violence. The program recently received a $48.1 million investment to expand its services to 32 women’s refuges across the state, providing trauma-informed support to children affected by such circumstances.

At the Macarthur Multipurpose Women and Children Accommodation Support Service, staff members recognized the signs of trauma in Claire’s daughter, which included sensory overload and limited verbal communication. Manager Suzy Pace emphasized the importance of having specialists on-site to distinguish between trauma and developmental issues.

Since its launch in 2022, the SWCYP program has supported over 5,400 children and families. Evaluations indicate that a significant portion of participants are young, with 80% under the age of 11. The program seeks to break cycles of disadvantage and prevent future violence by providing holistic support to those who have escaped abusive situations.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison, highlighted the importance of acknowledging young people as victim-survivors. She stated that the program aims to provide essential support to help them rebuild their lives after experiencing family violence.