This ANROWS-funded report, led by the Centre for Innovative Justice at RMIT University, explores adolescent violence in the home (AVITH), a complex and under-recognised issue predominantly affecting mothers and female caregivers. Responding to recommendations from the PIPA project, the WRAP study advocates for holistic, whole-of-family interventions rather than behaviour-focused approaches targeting only young people.
Using mixed methods—including practitioner focus groups, case file reviews, and parent interviews—the research identifies systemic barriers such as binary victim/perpetrator frameworks, fragmented service delivery, short-term funding, and limited coordination. COVID-19 exacerbated these challenges, increasing risk and disengagement.
Promising practices include flexible, trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches, outreach, and brokerage support. The report proposes a Collaborative Practice Framework built on four pillars: understanding, workforce, coordination, and evidence. It emphasises culturally safe, intersectional, and client-led responses, with long-term engagement and system accountability.
Policy implications call for early intervention, improved support for families affected by domestic and family violence, and investment in disability services. The report highlights the need for consistent AVITH recognition, better collaboration across sectors, and inclusion of young people’s voices in future research and service design.
