Program targets battered parents

Alex de Vos
A rise in Geelong adolescents assaulting their parents has sparked a support program to mend broken families, according a community support organisation.
Time for Youth manager Michele Semmens said the program was reaching out to parents of troubled children.
Ms Semmens said the campaign provided support through a 24-hour phone counselling service, an eight-week Parent Power program and a free information booklet
The programs followed release of Time for Youth and Victoria Police statistics revealing a spike in reports of domestic and adolescent violence.
Ms Semmens said half of the adolescents working with Time for Youth were physically violent toward their parents, while more than 60 per cent were “emotionally or psychologically abusive”.
In March the Independent reported a “significant” rise in domestic assaults across Geelong last year. Police told the paper they had received 294 reports of domestic assault in 12 months compared to 235 for the same time the previous year.
Ms Semmens said the figures were disturbing.
“Often these young people have witnessed violence within their own family and they will mirror the behaviour,” she said.
“It’s not just yelling and verbal abuse – we’ve heard of kids who are physically violent toward their parents, other siblings and pets.
“It’s a serious issue which affects the health and well-being of thousands and has far-reaching effects on the community.”
Ms Semmens said wider awareness and increased media attention had sparked a rise in the demand for support services in the region.
“The whole issue of violence is out there – it’s on our television screens, in the newspapers and on the streets,” she said.
“Adolescent violence against parents and carers is not new but its recognition has emerged only recently.”
Ms Semmens blamed the global economic crisis for the recent spike in adolescent violence.
“The impact of the global financial crisis and rise in unemployment has put a lot of pressure on families, culminating in a high degree of frustration,” she said.
“Young people who have always been entitled to what they want are still expecting the same treatment even if the family situation has changed.”