Unsafe and Unseen: Spotlighting the needs and experiences of unaccompanied young people seeking shelter
'Unsafe and Unseen: Spotlighting the needs and experiences of unaccompanied young people seeking shelter' builds on an important evidence base that engages directly with young people, situating them as the both the experts of their own lived experiences and the most vital voices in advocating for change.
The ‘Unsafe and Unseen’ project, delivered in partnership with Melbourne City Mission (MCM) came about as part of the growing recognition that young people’s unique experiences of family violence need to be more accurately understood and accounted for in the design and implementation of family violence responses.
Previous research conducted by MCM identified key gaps in family violence responses for young people, including an absence of youth-specific risk assessment and safety planning tools, as well as appropriate, dedicated referral pathways. The previous MCM research found that young people disclosing family violence tend to be referred either into family violence responses designed for adults or into youth homelessness services. This renders a significant group invisible – being young people who leave violence without a protective parent and who seek shelter and survival through a range of sometimes unseen, often unsafe, means.
Through the Unsafe and Unseen research, the Centre for Innovative Justice (CIJ), in partnership with MCM, felt it important to make this cohort visible to the system by trying to understand where these young people are presenting for support; how the system responds to their unique needs; and whether this has meaningful outcomes for their safety, stability and recovery.
Read the full report, summary report and practice resource here.
