New family and domestic violence youth service OpenSpace to ‘build safety network’ for Rockingham’s youth

A community non-profit group has been announced by the State Government as the provider for a dedicated service for young people who have been affected by family and domestic violence. Communicare Rockingham will deliver OpenSpace to young people between 10 and 24 in the Rockingham community and surrounds, offering tailored programs and activities that support healing and social connection. Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton announced the partnership on Friday at Communicare’s Rockingham Services Hub and said the new service would support more than 270 young people annually. The non-profit group has received a $1.2 million contract to deliver the service over three years, part of a McGowan Government election commitment to deliver a $60m package of family and domestic violence initiatives. OpenSpace will cater to a diverse group of young people in the area, including Aboriginal people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTIQA+ people and young parents. Another family and domestic violence service for young people is also planned for Northam, with work under way to appoint an appropriate service provider. Ms Winton said OpenSpace would be a “very important program” for young people, particularly given the growing need in the community for FDV service delivery. “Young people of course are really affected by family and domestic violence — not just in terms of experiencing it themselves but also witnessing it,” Ms Winton said. The Minister said impacts could range from physical and mental health issues to engagement with education. “This service is going to really help them and support them to break that cycle and lessen the impact of their experience with family and domestic violence.” Communicare executive director strategy and growth David Cain said OpenSpace would offer a “broad range” of support, including youth workers and mentors as well as additional support from other places such as the Rockingham Youth Centre. “We’ve got our approach to individual counselling with young people, group work with young people, outreach — a whole series of ways we look to engage with young people to try and work with them to address the trauma that they experience, and to try and build safety in their lives,” he said. Mr Cain said there was a “growing need for us (service providers) to provide a response to those young people experiencing trauma from family and domestic violence”. “We would like to see services like this and the service in Northam continue to respond to the challenges in their local communities,” he said. “It’s about us making sure we’re not just based in the building. We need to be out in the community working with partners, trying to build those relationships with young people that aren’t in a formal setting.” To prevent service delivery from becoming somewhat siloed — what Ms Winton described as “the perennial challenge” — Communicare will connect and share information with other services and work to bring suitable service providers together to support each young person it engages with through OpenSpace. Rockingham MLA and Premier Mark McGowan said OpenSpace was “an important step to help protect young people and disrupt the cycle of violence”. “Our Government is committed to ensuring people who are impacted by family and domestic violence have access to every opportunity to recover and rebuild their lives.” 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 Lifeline 13 11 14