Experts highlight that young people encounter significant obstacles when seeking assistance, with existing systems often failing to align with how adolescents naturally communicate. This disconnect is particularly concerning in cases of family violence, where timely support is crucial.
Barriers in Traditional Helplines
More than 40% of Australian children under the age of 16 are exposed to family violence, yet many support avenues still prioritise phone calls over digital options. A recent UK study reveals that 30% of individuals aged 16 to 29 experience anxiety about making phone calls, underscoring a generational shift in communication preferences.
Proposing a Digital Solution
In response, the Victorian family support service Safe Steps is advocating for a dedicated national support service, tentatively named the support multiverse. This initiative aims to serve as a digital front door, enabling young people to engage with help through platforms they already frequent, such as social media, online games, forums, and messaging applications.
Suzanne Paynter, the group director of business growth at Safe Steps, emphasises the importance of listening to youth voices. "We must avoid perpetuating systems designed by adults for adults," she states. Safe Steps reports that nearly half of its service users are children or young people accompanying adults, highlighting the urgent need for tailored support.
Youth-Friendly Digital Models
Cristyn Davies, a senior research fellow in child and adolescent health at the University of Sydney, notes that current systems rarely reflect adolescent communication styles. "A youth-friendly digital model like the support multiverse could establish earlier and safer pathways to assistance," she explains. This approach aligns with effective practices, including strong youth co-design, developmentally appropriate information, and accessible trusted digital spaces.
Concerns Over Social Media Bans
Davies also warns that social media bans for under-16s could inadvertently isolate young people from vital information and peer connections. For many, these platforms are a discreet means to seek help. She stresses that digital entry points must be supported by investment in specialist, trauma-informed offline services to ensure real pathways to safety.
Gaps in Real-World Services
Professor Cathy Humphreys, part of a children and domestic violence abuse research team at the University of Melbourne, points out significant funding shortages. "There is no robust national or state-level funding stream dedicated to supporting children and young people escaping family abuse," she says. Many refuges lack funded children's workers, despite young people comprising half of their users, creating a critical gap in the service system.
This underscores the necessity for real-world services to complement digital resources, ensuring comprehensive support for vulnerable youth.
