Teens the target of Geelong’s family violence program

A local family violence program will target teenagers with cash from the State Government.
Geelong MP Christine Couzens announced $233,000 to expand the Adolescent Family Violence Program.
“We know that early intervention is crucial in stopping family violence and we’re determined to set young people on the right path,” she said.
The early intervention program, run by Barwon Child, Youth and Family, targets young people aged between 12 and 18 years of age.
It aims to reduce adolescents committing family violence with family-based case management and group-based support.
“There is growing evidence that young people under the age of 18 commit a significant proportion of family violence offences,” Ms Couzens said.
“This is an important step in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of family members and carers, particularly in families with a sole parent or younger siblings.”
The Government is evaluating the program after the Royal Commission into Family Violence recommended its roll-out across Victoria.
The program will give priority to Aboriginal families, families being parented by a sole female parent or carer and families where the adolescent has younger siblings.
Young people who access the service will address issues such as drug and alcohol misuse, mental health, homelessness and disengagement from education.
Ms Couzens said 121 families have accessed the program since it began.
Earlier this year, the Government introduced a $168 million Roadmap for Reform to shift the children and family services system from crisis response to prevention and early intervention.
It included investments in support services, extra child protection workers, culturally sensitive support for Aboriginal children, and more foster and kinship carers – including Aboriginal carers.