COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Supporting Children & Young People Affected by Domestic Violence course. This program has been developed to provide you with the specialised knowledge and skills needed to support children and adolescents who are living with, or recovering from, the effects of domestic and family violence. The course takes a child-centred approach, recognising that while children are often unseen in conversations about violence, they are directly impacted and deserve tailored care and support.

Domestic and family violence in Australia remains a widespread social issue with profound implications for children. This course begins by introducing the definitions of domestic and family violence, explaining how children may be both witnesses and direct victims. It highlights why recognising children’s lived experiences is critical, and outlines the objectives of child-centred responses that prioritise safety, voice, and wellbeing.

Children are not simply bystanders in violent households—they are victims in their own right. This section explores the ways in which children are harmed directly through abuse or indirectly by witnessing violence in the home. It addresses how the normalisation of violence can distort a child’s understanding of relationships and safety, and explains how Australian laws and policies increasingly recognise the child’s experience as central to intervention and protection.

Exposure to domestic violence disrupts developmental pathways. This section explains the impact on early childhood development, including attachment and trust, and explores cognitive, social, and emotional consequences across the life course. It also examines how unresolved trauma can carry forward into adolescence and adulthood, affecting relationships, learning, and future wellbeing.

Children often display behavioural and emotional signs of distress that reflect their experiences of violence. This section identifies common indicators such as aggression, withdrawal, regression in behaviour, difficulty learning, and early signs of trauma-related mental health issues. It reinforces the importance of early recognition by professionals in diverse settings.

Adolescents face particular risks and challenges when living with or recovering from violence. This section examines how domestic violence increases the likelihood of substance misuse, risky behaviours, mental health difficulties, and vulnerability to entering abusive relationships. It underscores the importance of tailored support that strengthens identity, self-esteem, and resilience during this stage of life.

Recognising the signs of domestic violence exposure requires attention across multiple settings. This section outlines how indicators may emerge in schools, health appointments, recreational activities, and counselling contexts. It highlights the importance of observation, sensitive inquiry, and appropriate responses when disclosures occur.

Cultural and community factors shape how domestic violence is experienced and addressed. This section explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on family and safety, the stigma faced in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and the unique needs of refugee and migrant families. It emphasises the importance of culturally safe practices and community engagement to ensure effective support.

Children’s rights provide a critical framework for intervention. This section introduces key protections under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Family Law Act, and child protection legislation in Australia. It highlights the importance of mandatory reporting and reinforces children’s rights to safety, participation, and having their voices heard.

The experience of domestic violence is inherently traumatic for children. This section explains childhood trauma, the neurobiology of trauma in young people, and the risks of re-traumatisation. It highlights the importance of trauma-informed care, ensuring that services understand and respond to children’s unique vulnerabilities.

Building safety and trust is at the heart of supporting children affected by violence. This section outlines strategies for creating environments that enable safe disclosure, using age-appropriate communication, and providing consistency and predictability. It reinforces the role of active listening and validation in building a child’s confidence and trust.

Support strategies must be adapted to developmental needs. This section introduces play-based and expressive therapies, resilience-building approaches, and the role of schools and specialist counselling in recovery. It provides practical methods to help children rebuild self-esteem and engage meaningfully in supportive relationships.

Adolescents require distinct strategies to support independence and resilience. This section discusses the importance of peer support programs, decision-making skills, educational engagement, and identity-building. It also addresses sensitive issues such as sexuality, belonging, and empowerment in young people recovering from violence.

Families and caregivers play an essential role in children’s recovery. This section highlights strategies for supporting non-offending parents, strengthening positive parent-child relationships, and creating safe home environments. It also considers how extended family and kinship networks can provide additional stability where safe and appropriate.

Schools and childcare services are often the first to recognise the impacts of domestic violence on children. This section explains the role of educators in providing safe, nurturing environments, building partnerships with support services, and respecting confidentiality through appropriate information-sharing protocols.

A coordinated, whole-of-community response is vital to supporting children. This section outlines the importance of interagency collaboration, partnerships across health, justice, and community services, and the role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. It emphasises how community-wide efforts can create safer environments for children.

Safety planning empowers children to respond effectively in times of crisis. This section explains how to create age-appropriate safety plans, teach help-seeking strategies, involve trusted adults, and balance safety with stability and routine. It reinforces the need to ensure children feel secure while maintaining consistency in their daily lives.

Continuous improvement is essential for quality child support services. This section highlights methods for monitoring outcomes, incorporating children’s voices into program design, evaluating service gaps, and building practitioner competence. It reinforces the importance of reflection, training, and cultural awareness in sustaining best practice.

By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and tools to provide holistic, child-centred support to children and young people affected by domestic violence. You will be equipped to recognise signs of harm, respond with sensitivity, collaborate across services, and foster recovery and resilience for children and families.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Children

• Defining domestic and family violence in Australia
• Prevalence of children as witnesses and victims
• Why recognising the child’s experience is essential
• Objectives of child-centred support

2. Children as Victims of Domestic Violence

• Understanding children as direct and indirect victims
• Witnessing violence and its hidden impacts
• Normalisation of violence in the home environment
• Recognition in Australian law and policy

3. Developmental Impacts of Domestic Violence

• Effects on early childhood development
• Impacts on cognitive, emotional, and social growth
• Long-term consequences into adolescence and adulthood
• Disruption of secure attachment and trust

4. Behavioural and Emotional Indicators in Children

• Aggression, withdrawal, or anxiety
• Regression in behaviour
• Difficulty concentrating or learning at school
• Signs of depression, trauma, or self-harm

5. Impacts on Young People and Adolescents

• Risk of substance misuse and risky behaviours
• Challenges with peer relationships and identity
• Mental health struggles including PTSD and anxiety
• Higher vulnerability to entering abusive relationships

6. Recognising Signs in Different Settings

• Indicators in schools and childcare centres
• Signs noticed in health and medical appointments
• Behaviours in community or recreational activities
• Disclosure during counselling or informal conversations

7. Cultural and Community Considerations

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on family and safety
• Cultural stigma and barriers in CALD communities
• Importance of culturally safe responses
• Adapting services for refugee and migrant families

8. Children’s Rights and Legal Protections

• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Family Law Act provisions in Australia
• Child protection and mandatory reporting requirements
• Children’s right to safety, voice, and participation

9. Trauma and Its Impact on Children

• Understanding childhood trauma
• The neurobiology of trauma in young minds
• Re-traumatisation and its triggers
• Importance of trauma-informed care

10. Building Safety and Trust with Children

• Creating safe environments for disclosure
• Active listening and validation of children’s experiences
• Using age-appropriate language
• Establishing consistency and predictability

11. Support Strategies for Children

• Play-based and expressive therapies
• Encouraging resilience and self-esteem
• School-based supports and mentoring programs
• Accessing specialist counselling services

12. Supporting Young People and Adolescents

• Peer support and group programs
• Skill-building in decision-making and independence
• Engaging young people in education, work, and sport
• Addressing identity, sexuality, and belonging

13. Working with Families and Caregivers

• Supporting non-offending parents and carers
• Strengthening positive parent-child relationships
• Educating families on safe and nurturing environments
• Involving extended family or kinship support where safe

14. Collaboration with Schools and Childcare Services

• Role of teachers and childcare educators in early recognition
• Creating child-safe school environments
• Building partnerships between schools and support services
• Confidentiality and information sharing protocols

15. Interagency and Community Collaboration

• Importance of a coordinated response
• Partnerships between health, justice, and community services
• Role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs)
• Whole-of-community approaches to child safety

16. Safety Planning for Children and Young People

• Developing child-appropriate safety plans
• Teaching children how to seek help safely
• Involving trusted adults and support networks
• Balancing safety with stability and routine

17. Continuous Improvement and Best Practice in Child Support

• Monitoring outcomes for children and young people
• Incorporating children’s voices into program design
• Evaluating service effectiveness and gaps
• Commitment to ongoing training and cultural competence

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.