Organisations:

Parliament of Australia: House Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth: Inquiry into the impact of violence on young Australians

Media release
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fchy/youthviolence/media/media001.pdf

"On Thursday 16 June 2009 the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Youth and Minister for Sport, The Hon Kate Ellis MP, asked the Committee to inquire into and report on the impact of violence on young Australians.

"In order to facilitate electronic publishing of submissions, the Committee would prefer them to be emailed to fchy.reps@aph.gov.au or sent on disk or CD-ROM to the Committee Secretariat in Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF).

Terms of reference
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fchy/youthviolence/tor.htm

Submissions
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fchy/youthviolence/subs.htm

"The Committee encourages submissions to its inquiry from a wide range of individuals and organisations. While we prefer submissions lodged in an original, electronic format, we do not want to exclude contributors who do not have access to computing facilities. Therefore, we will accept submissions in a range of formats which may include typewritten and handwritten documents.

"Submissions to this inquiry are listed below in Portable Document Format (PDF). If an alternative format (ie, hard copy or large print) is required, please contact the Committee Secretariat [ see http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fchy/index.htm#contacts ]  

Brochure on preparing a submission:
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/documnts/howsub.htm

Schedule of public hearings, programs and transcripts:
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fchy/youthviolence/hearings.htm

Comments to:
The Secretary of the Committee on Tel: (02) 6277 4566 or Fax: (02) 6277 4844
or email: fchy.reps@aph.gov.au

(URLs viewed 25 September 2009)

News items on violence, from Youth Field Xpress

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2009 August, n.156

Plan to reduce violence against women and children
The winter 2009 edition of the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse newsletter features a summary of the 'Time for action' report released earlier this year by the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women. Last year, the council was appointed by the Australian Government to provide "advice on the development of an evidence-based National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children". Accordingly, the 'Time for action' report outlines six key outcome areas for reducing this type of violence in the community and makes a total of 20 recommendations for urgent action. The newsletter also provides a brief summary of the Australian Government's immediate response to these recommendations for urgent action. These two publications and other related publications can be found at: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/women/pubs/violence/np_time_for_action/Pages/default.aspx (Source: 'Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter', n.37, winter 2009, pp.2, 8-10.)

New Zealand: The Next project uses hip hop to get the message across that violence is not OK
The Next, in collaboration with New Zealand's Ministry of Social Development, is continuing with their 'It's not OK' message by using graffiti and hip hop culture to explore young people's perceptions of family violence and abuse. (Source: New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) newsletter, 'NZAAHD e update', n.184, 21 August 2009, http://www.nzaahd.org.nz/, citing http://globaled.org.nz/gecnews/news.php?show=1&ed=150#578)

Solving the jigsaw: Changing the culture of violence, building a culture of wellbeing
This is a Victorian training and professional development program for school personnell -- teachers, Year level co-ordinators, primary welfare officers, wellbeing co-ordinators and assistant principals and principals or anyone with a key role in student wellbeing and welfare in schools. The program provides practical tools and strategies for a whole school approach to violence, bullying and well being, and is most effective when a team from a school participate. For details, contact Angela McEwen, School Focused Youth Service Coordinator, Monash Youth and Family Services, email: AngelaM@monash.vic.gov.au, web: http://www.myfs.org.au

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2009 March, n.151

Violence in public places: Explanations and solutions
'Violence in public places: Explanations and solutions', is a report released by Australia 21 in December 2008, compiled by Richard Eckersley and Lynne Reeder. It is the result of the Victoria Police commissioning the non-profit company Australia21 to conduct a roundtable and prepare a report on the issue of violence in public places, a growing problem in Victoria and Australia as a whole. The roundtable, conducted in early October 2008, attracted participants from a range of relevant scientific disciplines and Victorian government departments and agencies with responsibility for policy development and implementation. Some participants focused on more immediate, direct interventions to address public violence, while others emphasised the need for a broader, social-development perspective, but the report's authors commented most, if not all, participants agreed on the need for a multi-dimensional strategy spanning timeframes, social scales and government jurisdictions. The report outlines the problem of violence in public places, provides explanations about its causes (including factors relating to young people's biological and social development), and proposes a range of solutions to the problem. The report can be downloaded from the Australia21 website: http://www.australia21.org.au/whats_new.htm (Source: Eckersley, R. and Reeder, L. 2008, 'Violence in public places: Explanations and solutions', Australia21, Weston, ACT.)

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2009 February, n.150

Cutting down on alcohol-related violence
Police around Australia are starting to focus on offences by licensed premises, rather than just the unruly intoxicated individual, to control drunken public behaviour, according to a University of Tasmania study. Professor Jenny Flemming, of the Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES) travelled the country in 2008, investigating the ways different police forces tackle anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related violence in and around licensed premises. She said that while police were still managing antisocial behaviour on the street by the conventional means of caution and arrest, there was a stronger emphasis now on the licensing premise as a focus for enforcement. Her study, Rules of engagement: Policing anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related violence in and around licensed premises, identifies a centralisation of resources to deal with the regulation of licensed premises as an effective strategy to better address alcohol-related problems. The study was funded and published by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), and is available as a PDF from their website: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/pages/bocsar_publication (Source: University of Tasmania 2009, Cutting down on alcohol-related violence, media release, 14 January, viewed 19 February 2009, http://www.utas.edu.au/events/media.html)

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2008 December, n.148

'Responding to young people disclosing sexual assault: A resource for schools'
This new report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) looks at the nature of sexual assault between young people. The report outlines the findings of other studies of young people's experience of sexual assault and disclosure of such assault, including how well young people recognise sexual assault, whom they are likely to tell, and the barriers to disclosure. The report aims to supplement initiatives of the National Safe Schools Framework, and evaluates what schools can do within this framework to better respond to the disclosure of sexual assault. The report includes a practical guide for responding to student disclosure at an individual, staff and school level, along with examples of best practice from particular schools. (Source: Quadara, A. 2008, 'Responding to young people disclosing sexual assault: A resource for schools', 'ACSSA Wrap', n.6, 2008, Australian Institute of Family Studies, viewed 9 December 2008, http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/wrap/w6.html)

'An assault on our future: The impact of violence on young people'
This new report indicates that over half a million Australian teenagers are living with violence in the home. "Vastly increased efforts need to be made, and resources mobilised, at national, state, and local levels, in the area of primary prevention of violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on children and young people. A multi-faceted prevention strategy, which engages boys and young men, is essential to maximising positive outcomes for all children and young people." So reads the conclusion of the executive summary of the survey, 'An assault on our future: The impact of violence on young people', released in November by the White Ribbon Foundation, which campaigns to end violence against women.

The report shows that violence is having a major impact on the long-term health and wellbeing of Australia's children. The report's authors, Michael Flood and Lara Fergus, examine how violence against women specifically affects children and young people and the nature of violence they experience in their homes and their own relationships. They examine the impacts and the priorities for action if efforts to protect young people are to be successful. To download the full report, or an executive summary, visit the White Ribbon Day website: http://www.whiteribbonday.org.au/ (Source: communityNet website, viewed 18 December 2008, (URL no longer available) and Australian Policy Online at: http://www.apo.org.au/ (resource cited no longer available)

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2008 October, n.146

Involving men in men's violence prevention
A discussion paper by Bob Pease of Deakin University has been released with the aim of furthering debate about the impact on gender equality of increasing the involvement of men in campaigns against violence by men against women. The paper addresses the literature to date, the theoretical debates that can inform this issue and the potential costs and benefits of such initiatives. The report outlines the difficulties of involving men without replicating "the same structures and processes that reproduce the violence we are challenging". For more information about the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, see http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/, viewed 16 October 2008. (Source: Pease, B. (2008) 'Engaging men in men's violence prevention: exploring the tensions, dilemmas and possibilities', in Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, Issues paper, n. 17, August 2008.)

Child protection, domestic violence and parental substance misuse: Family experiences and effective practice
This book, by Hedy Cleaver, Don Nicholson, Sukey Tarr and Deborah Cleaver, was published in 2007 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. It explores the facts about the relationship between substance misuse and domestic violence and its effect on children, whose vulnerability to the negative effects of domestic violence, parental alcohol or parental drug misuse is often reflected in their health and development. The capacity for adequate parenting in these circumstances, and the role of child protection is discussed. The authors explore the implications for policy and practice in both child and adult services. More at: http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book.php/isbn/9781843105824

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2008 June, n.142

The "R" Youth Program
The "R" Youth Program intends to raise awareness about inappropriate behaviour and give young people an understanding of their behaviour and strategies for effecting positive change. The program aims to help raise empathy, build positive relationships and tools for emotional management, and build resilience and personal values into daily life. (Source: Enough is Enough Anti-violence Movement Inc, viewed 17 June 2008, http://www.enoughisenough.org.au/programmes/ )

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2008 April, n.140

Cyber violence and cyber safety
The April 2008 edition of 'Professional Educator' contains a feature article on cyber violence. The article answers the questions, 'What is cyber violence?', 'How much cyber violence is out there?', 'Where does cyber violence occur?', Why is cyber violence happening?' and 'What are the main cyber violence issues?', as well as looking at existing cyber safety initiatives and ways to improve cyber safety. The author suggests that 'current initiatives to address cyber violence and cyber safety are well intended but we need to make a more concerted and systematic effort, based on further research, if we are to tackle the problem through policy and practice on the national and global level'. (Source: 'Professional Educator, v.7, n.1, 2008, pp.34-39.)

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2008 February, n.138

Domestic and family violence
The December and January editions of 'YAPRap', the magazine of the Youth Action and Policy Association of NSW, have featured articles on 'Domestic and family violence: Not just an adult issue'. Part 1 focused on the dynamics of domestic and family violence in young people's intimate relationships. Part 2, in the current issue of 'YAPRap', focuses on the specific impact on adolescents of domestic and family violence in the home. (Source: 'YAPRap', v.18, n.1, January 2008.)

Adolescent violence to parents
The Inner South Community Health Service (ISCHS), based in Melbourne, has received federal government funding through the Women's Safety Agenda for the 'It All Starts At Home' project, which aims to help parents who experience abuse and violence from their adolescent children. The project will examine the issue of adolescent violence and will produce a parenting resource card. A small research project exploring the causes and impact of adolescent abuse and violence to parents will be undertaken. The one-year project began in July 2007. For details, contact the ISCHS Information and Referral Service on (03) 9690 9144 or (03) 9525 0981.
Twice a year, the ISCHS conducts Who's The Boss, a groupwork program for parents living with violent adolescents. The program focuses on safety and on making the young person accountable for their violence, and provides support, information and parenting advice for parents living in the inner south region of Melbourne. (Source: 'Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter', n.30.)

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2007 December, n.134

Youth gangs
'Anti-gang strategies and interventions', by Rob White, is a paper published by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) that reviews anti-gang intervention strategies and the limits and possibilities for positive action in regard to gang formation and activities. The paper first provides a general overview of intervention strategies, and then briefly reviews some of the ideas and strategies that have informed government and community action around gang issues at the grassroots level. The paper concludes with a few observations about the need for a holistic and comprehensive approach to issues of gangs and youth violence. Areas of interest in the paper include the family and parenting; school-based interventions; coercive street-based approaches; community- based strategies; and proposals relating to the media. "Although very few programs and strategies have actually been evaluated, the discussion provides a broad spectrum of approaches and programs that might inform future local practice. A key theme of this section is that the best forms of intervention are those based upon principles of participation and social inclusion, including young people themselves." (Source: ARACY website, http://www.aracy.org.au; PDF download at: http://www.aracy.org.au/publicationDocuments/TOP_Youth_Gangs_Violence_and_Anti_Social_Behaviour_2007.pdf ) The paper is neatly summarised as a one-page fact sheet on youth gangs, titled, 'Targeting youth gangs at a grass roots level', and published as an Australian Institute of Criminology fact sheet in its 'AICrime Reduction Matters' series (n.62, October 2007) at: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/crm/crm062.html

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2007 July, n.131

Representative bodies call for more school counsellors
The Federation of Parents and Citizens' Associations of NSW and the NSW Teachers Federation have called for an increase in the number of counsellors working in schools across that state following three separate incidents in which secondary school students allegedly threatened staff and students with violence. Statistics from the NSW Department of Education indicate that of the 12,300 public school students suspended in 2006, 5,852 were suspended for violent behaviour. Acknowledging that inadequate mental health services for children and young people was an issue of national significance, RMIT educational psychologist Dr Kerry Hempenstall said that providing schools with more counsellors was not necessarily the solution. Read more in 'Education Review', v.17, n.4, 2007, pp.1, 19.)

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2007 June, n.130

Rollout of a bullying prevention program
The Friendly Schools and Families Program is widely used in Western Australia, where it was developed by Dr Donna Cross and Dr Erin Erceg of Edith Cowan University. The program addresses bullying at the individual, group, family and school community levels, and helps services to design, develop, implement, disseminate and evaluate a social skill-building and comprehensive anti-bullying program that is an evidence-based, whole-school approach to reducing bullying. See: http://www.friendlyschools.com.au

Youth anti-violence project
The 'No more violence, We're breaking the silence' anti-violence campaign, developed by the Western Australia Family and Domestic Violence Unit and the Western Australia Office for Children and Youth, won an award in 2006 for outstanding initiatives provided to the West Australian community by workers in the public sector. It's the first public awareness campaign specifically targeted at young people affected by family or dating violence and consists of a website, posters and an information kit. So far, almost 60,000 kits have been distributed to service providers in WA who work with children and young people at risk. The campaign is being used as the basis for a Family and Domestic Violence Peer Education Program being piloted in three schools. See: http://www.youthsayno.wa.gov.au (Source: 'Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter', n.27, summer 2006/07, pp.7-8.)

Helping young men to get a GRIPP
The Victorian Department of Justice launched the Gain Respect, Increase Personal Power (GRIPP) program in early 2007. It aims help young aged 13 to 17 years who have come into contact with the Dandenong Magistrates' and Children's Courts or local police as a result of their aggressive or violent behaviour. The holistic program helps young men to change their behaviour and develop respectful, non-violent relationships. (Source: 'Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter', n.28, autumn 2007, p.11.)

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2007 April, n.128

Responding to sexual assault issues in schools
Victoria's Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault (WestCASA) is regularly contacted by schools in the West to present information on sexual assault. Anecdotal evidence suggests that young people often do not have an accurate definition of consent or sexual assault. Evidence based research supports the need for this information to be delivered by facilitators that young people can relate to. In response to this, WestCASA has developed PEER (Promoting Equal Empowering Relationships), a new school-based violence prevention peer education program. It is modelled on another Victorian program, Respect Protect Connect, developed by Women's Health in the South East and the South East Centre Against Sexual Assault. PEER facilitators are a trained group of volunteers -- young men and women aged 18 to 30 who are available to go into schools in the Western Metropolitan Region to run 90-minute, single-sex workshops on consent and healthy relationships. These workshops aim to increase young people's awareness of sexual assault, clarify the meaning of consent, help them think about what a healthy relationship looks like, and provide referral options for survivors of sexual assault. More details from WestCASA, ph: (03) 9687 8637 or email: info[AT]westcasa.org.au
Also see the page of news items on the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault website, at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/whatsnew.html

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2007 March, n.127

Award-winning program: Chance on Main
The Australian Institute of Criminology has announced the winning projects in the 2006 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards. Among the four national community award winning projects was a youth related Tasmanian program called Chance on Main. This project is an intervention program for young people aged 14-19 who are at risk of being involved in criminal or antisocial activities, or of dropping out of school or training, or becoming homeless and disconnected from their families. The project provides the young people with mentors who are high-profile community and sporting personalities, and with intensive individual support and counselling. It also provides hands-on activity programs and support to the families of young people involved in the program. This model is unique in Tasmania, and was developed after five years of extensive consultation with relevant service providers, the Glenorchy community and young people. For more information, contact Mike Daval-Stewart, Chance on Main program coordinator, ph: (03) 6272 2023; fax: (03) 6272 2028; email: info[AT]chanceonmain.com.au; website: http://www.chanceonmain.com.au (Source: Crime Facts Info no. 142: 2006 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/cfi/cfi142.html)

Youth Field Xpress news snippet:
2007 February, n.126

NSW Ombudsman reports on policing of domestic violence
The NSW Police responds to around 120,000 domestic violence calls each year, and the NSW Ombudsman tabled a special report in the NSW Parliament in December 2006 following a comprehensive 12-month review of domestic violence policing across NSW. The report makes 44 recommendations aimed at achieving better protection and support for victims of domestic violence, and highlights the importance of strong communication and cooperation between government and non-government agencies. Copies of the Ombudsman's report are available at http://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au

More:

Items on violence in other Australian journals and newsletters: consult your nearest library for fast information on published articles, using their handy online databases. An example of what you might retrieve:

• The problem of bullying and violence against young people in the workforce, by Zana Bytheway and Vera Smiljanic (JobWatch Inc Victoria). Reform, n.92, winter 2008, http://www.alrc.gov.au/reform/subscribe.htm