Our centres
Domestic and family violence in Australia
Every child has the right to grow up in a home free from violence and abuse.
What is domestic and family violence?
Domestic and family violence (DFV) is any behaviour in an intimate or family relationship which is violent, threatening, coercive or controlling, causing a person to live in fear.
1 in 4 children have experienced domestic and family violence¹
DFV can happen in intimate relationships, and family relationships. DFV can impact anyone and happens in every community, all cultures, and to people in every age and income group. It’s important to remember that DFV is not just physical. It’s any threatening or controlling behaviour which involves a repeated pattern of behaviour to control you. It can involve behaviour that makes you feel scared, threatened or denies you freedom. Domestic violence is never the victim’s fault.
Long after the abuse has stopped, the devastating impact of DFV remains.
Behind our research report
Our research report, Truth is the abuse never stopped, shows the majority of DFV child victims have suffered lifelong psychological distress and low self-esteem as a result of their experiences.
Many victim-survivors indicated that as a child or young person they didn’t know where to go for help. They were also afraid that telling someone would make things worse, and generally felt helpless about their situation. This shows the reality that children’s voices often go unheard when it comes to violence; they are the invisible victims.
Every child has the right to grow up in a home free from violence and abuse.
Children exposed to DFV are:
- At a 36% greater risk of depression, a 49% greater risk of experiencing anxiety, and an almost 60% greater risk of self harming behaviours.²
- Twice as likely to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder.²
- Almost five times more likely to receive a mental health service by the time they reached 18 years of age (79% versus 16%).²
- At greatest risk of homelessness due to Domestic and Family Violence.²
How Barnardos helps
Every single Barnardos centre in NSW and ACT has seen the incredibly harmful impact that DFV has on children and young people, with far reaching consequences on their lives no matter what age they experience it. Hence our drive to support these children and their families. We provide integrated programs and services to support families with everything they need to heal and move forward from the trauma caused by DFV.
Our programs and services are designed to support children and young people impacted by DFV to recover and thrive. We assist women and children escaping domestic violence with safe housing, counselling, education and practical support. We ensure children and young people remain engaged with their education through before and after school programs. And our youth services give young people a safe place to be themselves, share their story and rebuild their self-belief and trust in others again.
Services we offer:
Domestic & family violence support
Advocates for change
In addition to working directly with families, Barnardos is advocating for nation-wide policy change so children are recognised as victims and have equal, adequate access to services.
It is time to recognise children and young people as victim survivors of domestic and family violence and not just bystanders who are unimpacted. It is critical that children have access to their own trauma counselling and other specialist DFV services.
Join us in being champions for children
At Barnardos, we are ensuring that our staff are properly equipped to deal with the range of challenges children and young people are facing, particularly with the crisis levels of exposure to DFV which we know are harmful and cause life-long issues.
By donating in support of the children and families we work with, you are not only helping us tackle the primary causes of domestic and family violence. Your contribution can fund:
Education and training initiatives
Emergency assistance
Counselling
Safe housing
DFV specific support
Want to know more?
- ¹ Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse 2011 – The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children: A Literature Review
- ² The truth is the abuse never stopped – by Dr Robert Urquhart & Jennifer Doyle 2022
Resources to read next
Fact sheet 2
We will empower every child in Australia to have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Fact sheet 3
We support vulnerable children to recover and thrive. Together, we ensure they reach their brightest future. 
