Addressing Youth Homelessness: A New Approach to Support Teens Affected by Domestic Violence
Every night, thousands of children across Australia find themselves homeless, navigating the streets without adult supervision. Among them is Lala*, a 14-year-old who faced the harsh realities of life on the streets. “I stayed out very late, got into a lot of trouble, and was on the streets,” she recalls. For Lala, returning home was not an option; she had experienced domestic violence that made her feel unsafe in her own home.
The Crisis of Youth Homelessness
Recent statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveal a troubling trend: over 13,000 children sought assistance from homelessness services in 2023-24, with more than a third escaping family and domestic violence. This alarming data underscores a significant gap in support services tailored for minors. Traditional domestic violence programs are often designed for adult women and their children, leaving vulnerable teenagers like Lala without the specialized help they need.
The issue is compounded by the fact that over 500 children who had previously received support from specialist homelessness services died between 2013 and 2023, accounting for one in 13 child deaths in Australia. This stark reality highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions that address the unique challenges faced by young people.
A New Hope: The Amplify Program
At 17, Lala found refuge in a program called Amplify, initiated by Melbourne City Mission. This innovative service is specifically designed to support teenagers aged 15 to 19 who are experiencing homelessness due to family violence. A key feature of Amplify is its use of peer workers-young individuals who have themselves navigated the complexities of family violence.
“Being understood is crucial,” Lala explains. “When I turned to the streets looking for family and community, I found that in the Amplify program.” The program not only provides immediate safety but also helps participants stay in school and access additional resources, creating a pathway toward stability.
An evaluation conducted by RMIT’s Centre for Innovative Justice has found that Amplify is not just filling a critical gap; it could serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country.
The Need for Specialized Support
Shorna Moore, Head of Policy at Melbourne City Mission, emphasizes the importance of programs like Amplify. “We see how a child’s trauma is exacerbated when services can’t provide the care and pathway to a safe home that they need,” she states. The statistics are alarming: a survey earlier this year revealed that two-thirds of young people using homelessness services at Melbourne City Mission reported experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempts.
The need for specialized support is particularly pressing for young males and members of the LGBTQ+ community, who often find themselves excluded from traditional family violence refuges. “We have a significant number of young males and young people from the LGBTQ+ community who don’t fit the norms of what the system is built for,” Moore notes.
Advocacy for Change
In 2024, housing and homelessness organizations, including Melbourne City Mission, launched the Home Time campaign, advocating for federal government support to secure housing for young people. The campaign, backed by independent MPs like Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock, calls for the creation of 15,000 dedicated tenancies with support for young individuals, particularly those aged 16-24.
Micaela Cronin, the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, has urged governments to recognize children and young people as victims in their own right, rather than as extensions of a parent or caregiver experiencing violence. This perspective aligns with recommendations from the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence, which has called for a more nuanced understanding of the needs of young victims.
A Blueprint for the Future
Elena Campbell, Associate Director of RMIT’s Centre for Innovative Justice, believes that programs like Amplify can help make the call for specialized support a reality. “We can’t just throw existing family violence responses at young people and expect them to work,” she asserts. “What we need are programs designed specifically for young people, and Amplify has been incredibly successful in this regard.”
The evaluation of Amplify suggests that it could enhance the capabilities of the broader sector, allowing other services to learn from its approach. “We don’t necessarily need an entirely new workforce; we can scale this by providing dedicated funding for these roles,” Campbell explains. “It’s also essential to build the capability across the sector so that everyone can be youth-informed to some extent.”
Conclusion
The plight of homeless youth in Australia, particularly those escaping domestic violence, is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. Programs like Amplify offer a glimmer of hope, providing specialized support that addresses the unique challenges faced by teenagers. As advocacy efforts continue to push for systemic change, it is crucial that governments and service providers recognize the distinct needs of young victims and work collaboratively to create a safer, more supportive environment for all. The future of these vulnerable young people depends on it.
