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My name is Laura and I’m a Senior Family Support Worker at Brisbane Youth Service.
I was in a session with a little one, under the supervision of their mum. We were role playing using hand puppets, which allows the child to speak through their actions when words can be scary or hard to find.
As the support worker, I created a safe space for their emotions – acknowledging their fear, their feeling of being under attack and their confusion.
Through gentle guidance and connection, we navigated through the storm together, until finally, the strong feelings subsided, and the child whispered, “You're okay now, let's play with the playdough.”
The reasons children and young families experience homelessness are complex and varied; however, domestic and family violence is the number one cause of homelessness for young people we meet.
Our data shows that young parents are much more likely to report experiencing intimate partner violence, compared to those who aren’t parents.
And sadly, their children are more likely to face homelessness as adults too.
Without intervention, this is the reality we face – a cycle of violence and homelessness that continues through generations.
With your support, we can break the cycle of violence and homelessness, changing the futures of vulnerable young women and children.
“I remember being temporarily housed in a motel with my little boy. Looking around, I realised this was the same motel I'd stayed in with my mum when I was a kid, seeking refuge from my physically abusive father.”
- Young mother supported by Brisbane Youth Service
Did you know, 1 in 4 young people supported by Brisbane Youth Service are parents with small children or new babies?
Please donate today to break the cycle of violence and homelessness. You can help provide safety and stability for vulnerable young parents before it's too late.
Homelessness and DFV
Family violence and intimate partner violence are leading causes of homelessness for young people in Australia. Yet many young people experiencing violence do not seek help.
Young people may not identify being in DFV relationships as violence has been their norm. They are often entering their first serious relationships, and their early attachment trauma and exposure to violence is then playing out in their intimate partner relationships.
Young parents often come to Brisbane Youth Service for support with other intersectional issues, such as risk of homelessness. This provides an opportunity for our Young Women, Families and Safe Relationships program to intervene with specialist DFV supports to break the cycle of violence.
From emergency accomodation to housing, counselling, parenting groups, and violence prevention programs, we support vulnerable young parents to build strong families and new, brighter futures.
About Brisbane Youth Service
We provide free, confidential services including crisis and transitional housing, emergency relief, physical and mental health services, alcohol and drug interventions, domestic and family violence support, and specialist programs for young women and young families.
We meet young people at a crucial time of great need – but also a great opportunity for early intervention supports.
As a community, if we want to break the cycle of homelessness we must ensure young people can access crucial services when they need them. Even with brief support from BYS, most young people can overcome difficulties, move out of crisis, and achieve life goals.
Imagine yourself at the age of 17. You and your five month old son have fled from an unhealthy relationship, you have no social or family support to help you, and are left with now home. This was the start of my journey.
- Young person
I thought I was in a healthy relationship, in my eyes. I thought it was just his personality – that’s how he was. But I was scared to speak up as I thought he would kill me. (At BYS) I learned skills on having healthy and happy relationships. I learned about setting boundaries in relationships and knowing my rights.
- Young person
I needed my own space for me and my 3 children.
When living on the streets, the friends I made told me about BYS. I then accessed BYS supports for the pantry which is how I knew they might be able to help with housing.
- Young person
With the help from BYS, I was able to move on in life as they helped me build the foundation to get me started in life. As a single mother with a 3 year old child, I now have a very secure job which I’ve had for almost 2.5 years, I secured private rental housing and I have a stable income.
- Young person
