Trinity Catholic College students take a page in the Post

The event was for the community to come together and raise awareness and support for victims.

I had the chance to interview members of the college about their thoughts on domestic violence. I was interested in the students’ motivation for attending an event like this.

I also wanted to know where they intended to go from here. How should we support victims? What actions can Trinity take to create a community where people feel safe?

There was a wide variety of responses from those interviewed. Some students believed they lacked information. One suggested: “Schools need programs to inform students about domestic violence.” Another said the issue was bigger than just school and needed to be expanded to include older people in the community as well.

“We need to educate adults and children,” he said. “They need to know where the safe places are, and who to call.”

Others had a clear idea of what was not working: “Silence is not the key, be vocal about it.” Another student agreed: “Get them [the victims] out and about talking about it. Don’t hide.”

One student answered: “I walked in the White Ribbon Day March last year because I am passionate for the cause. I walked against domestic violence.”

In Australia, we are facing major issues with household violence. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) found more than one-third of people seeking assistance from homeless facilities in three years since 2013-14 did so because of domestic violence.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, research indicates that:

- About one in five Australian women and one in 20 Australian men have experienced violence at the hands of an intimate partner (2013)

- About 50 per cent of men and 25 per cent of women who have experienced current partner violence have never told anyone about the violence (2013)

- Between 40 and 60 per cent of families who present with partner violence also report child abuse

Family violence has a significant impact on children mentally, socially and academically at school. Experiencing such trauma at home easily creates issues of depression, eating disorders, aggression, and lack of concentration leading towards low academic achievements.

As young members of the community, we are the future leaders to stand against violence at home. Whether it be physical, verbal or emotional, it’s our chance to change the attitudes of individuals within society.

It was fantastic to see the Government’s initiative to include domestic violence in the compulsory Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) curriculum. It means that all high school students are guaranteed an education on this subject.

According to Our Watch Organisation, researchers conducted a survey of 3000 young people and found “one in three young people don’t think that exerting control over someone else is a form of violence”.

There are some clear ways forward on violence that affects families. My research showed that young people want environments to exist where they can discuss issues of family violence without feeling ashamed. They want to know where they can go if they feel unsafe.

The answer to stopping family violence lies in supporting each other, and the best support comes from the community. Our message is clear: It takes a community to stop domestic violence.