Digital 'Support Multiverse' Proposed to Help Young People Escape Family Violence
Experts are highlighting that young people face significant barriers when seeking help for domestic and family violence, with current support systems often failing to reflect how adolescents naturally communicate. A groundbreaking proposal from the Victorian family support service Safe Steps aims to address this critical gap through a dedicated national digital service, tentatively named the support multiverse. This initiative seeks to create a digital front door for young people, leveraging the online spaces they already frequent.
Barriers in Traditional Helpline Systems
More than 40% of Australian children under the age of 16 are exposed to family violence, a statistic that underscores the urgent need for effective support mechanisms. However, many existing avenues for assistance still direct young people to call helpline numbers as a first step, despite a growing reluctance among digital natives to use telephones. A recent UK study found that 30% of individuals aged 16 to 29 fear picking up the phone, highlighting a disconnect between traditional methods and modern communication preferences.
Suzanne Paynter, the group director of business growth at Safe Steps, emphasises the importance of listening to young voices to avoid perpetuating systems by adults for adults. Safe Steps, which provides 24/7 statewide services for those experiencing domestic abuse, reports that nearly half (43%) of its service users are children or young people accompanying adults. Paynter notes that young people often express confusion about where to find relevant help, pointing to a clear need for more accessible and youth-friendly options.
Designing the Support Multiverse
The proposed support multiverse is envisioned as a network of digital channels that allow young people to engage directly with support services in familiar online environments. This includes social media platforms, online games, forums, and messaging applications. By meeting young people where they are, the multiverse aims to break down barriers and provide earlier, safer pathways to assistance.
Paynter advocates for an authentic national co-design process, involving input from young people to ensure the system is tailored to their needs. This approach aligns with best practices in youth support, as highlighted by Cristyn Davies, a senior research fellow in child and adolescent health at the University of Sydney. Davies explains that a youth-friendly digital model like the multiverse could offer accessible, trusted spaces for those who feel isolated or unsure where to turn, provided it incorporates strong youth co-design and developmentally appropriate information.
Challenges and Complementary Services
Despite the potential of digital solutions, experts caution that they must be backed by robust real-world services. Davies warns that recent social media bans for under-16s in Australia could inadvertently cut young people off from vital information and peer connections, as these platforms often serve as quiet avenues for seeking help. She stresses that digital entry points must be supported by investment in specialist, trauma-informed offline services to ensure young people have tangible pathways to safety.
Professor Cathy Humphreys, part of a children and domestic violence research team at the University of Melbourne, underscores the funding gaps in existing support systems. She notes that there is no consistent national or state-level funding stream dedicated to helping children and young people escape family abuse. Many refuges lack funded specialist workers for children, despite young people comprising half of their users, leaving a significant gap in services for those who have disconnected from their families.
Moving Forward
The push for a support multiverse represents a critical step towards modernising how young people access help for domestic violence. By integrating digital innovation with youth co-design, this initiative aims to create a more inclusive and effective support network. As experts call for greater investment and collaboration, the focus remains on ensuring that young survivors have the resources they need to find safety and support in ways that resonate with their lived experiences.
