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Australian Childhood Foundation

Claire’s story* 

Healing from the trauma of family violence.

Read article

International Childhood Trauma Conference 2025

17 – 22 August, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre 

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We need a federal minister for children. 

 

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We are a force for childhood

Learn more about our work on behalf of children

Help children

We help children heal

On their own, children do not recover from the devastating impact of abuse, neglect and family violence. They need specialised support to heal. We provide therapeutic services to children.

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Children's safety

We keep children safe

We build the ability and confidence of individuals and organisations to protect children. We provide parents with education and support to help them raise happy, safe and loved children.

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Standing up for children

We stand
up for
children

We advocate for changes to laws and policies that help to make all children safer. We work to strengthen community attitudes that prioritise the rights of children to love and safe relationships.

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Understanding children

We create understanding for children

We educate and support adults who look after and work with traumatised children to be better able to understand and respond to their complex needs.

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Become a force for childhood

Learn how you can take action against child abuse

Become a corporate partner

Together, we can work towards a shared goal of providing more support and specialised care to abused children.

Raise funds

Corporate matching and donations can make a big impact. Or you can start a crowdfunding campaign!

A message from our patron, Chris Hemsworth

Will you consider partnering with us and becoming a monthly donor?

Become a donor

Where we work

Our trauma teams help children, families and carers, and support professionals throughout Australia, including remote and regional areas. Their collaboration with a network of adults and organisations focuses on creating an environment dedicated to the recovery and healing of children traumatised by abuse, neglect and family violence.

Explore our work by clicking on the locations below!

Horsham
ARISE WSW program for adolescents ARISE WSW is a program for adolescents who use violence in the home. This therapeutic program supports the young person (aged between 12-17 years) and their family make meaning of the behaviour, repair relationships and build stronger connections inside and outside of the home. Horsham /victoria-stories/
Mitcham
Child Trauma Service in Mitcham The Child Trauma Service (Victoria) - Mitcham supports children, young people, their parents, carers, and families to recover from the traumatic impact of sexual abuse, family violence and neglect, through individual, dyadic and family counselling, along with therapeutic group programs. The program also provides counselling and support to children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour. This program is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing for families residing in the inner and outer eastern metro region, and operates from our Mitcham location. Mitcham Male therapist talking to adolescent boy with back facing in an office https://www.childhood.org.au/map/child-trauma-service-mitcham-shepparton/
All of NSW
OurSPACE OurSPACE provides specialist outreach therapeutic trauma support covering all of NSW for children and young people under the age of 15 years who live in Foster Care or Kinship Care and have experienced at least two placement changes in the previous six months.

For referrals or general enquiries please call 1300 381 581 or email intakeourspace@childhood.org.au. All of NSW Young girl and older woman walking on a track outside in Australian bush https://www.childhood.org.au/map/ourspace/
Ringwood
Popping Bubbles program for mums and bubs in Ringwood Trial of the Popping Bubbles program for women and their infants who have been affected by family violence, in partnership with the Eastern Domestic Violence Outreach Service in Ringwood. Ringwood Young child blowing a big bubble outside with people in bubble reflection https://www.childhood.org.au/map/popping-bubbles-program-for-mums-and-bubs-in-ringwood/
Warrnambool
HEART program The HEART program supports the healing and recovery from the experience of family violence, and works to build connection, attunement and re-establish relationships that have been ruptured by the violence. The program is funded by Family Safety Victoria. Warrnambool /victoria-stories/
Bairnsdale
Trauma-informed care at a preschool in Bairnsdale, VIC Our Early Childhood Team is working with Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC) in their preschool centre to foster a trauma-informed and culturally strong approach to educating and supporting 3-4-year-old children. Bairnsdale Young aboriginal boy looking away with a person standing behind him https://www.childhood.org.au/map/trauma-informed-care-at-a-preschool-in-bairnsdale-vic/
Canberra
Canberra A team of 8 therapeutic specialists is providing training and supervision to more than 200 professionals and 400 carers in and around Canberra and its suburbs. Canberra young boy in blue t-shirt hugging older woman https://www.childhood.org.au/map/working-in-a-whole-new-way-for-children-in-state-care-in-canberra/
Shepparton
Providing therapy to children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour in Shepparton A specialist team running a therapeutic program for 15-18 children who have engaged in sexual behaviour that hurts other children has extended The Child Trauma Service (Victoria) - Shepparton supports children, young people, their parents, carers, and families to recover from the traumatic impact of sexual abuse and when children and young people engage in harmful sexual behaviour, through individual, dyadic and family counselling, along with therapeutic group programs. This program is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing for families residing in the Goulburn region, and operates from our Shepparton location. Shepparton https://www.childhood.org.au/map/providing-therapy-to-children-and-young-people-who-have-engaged-in-problem-sexual-behaviour-in-shepparton/
Bundaberg
Accrediting Bundaberg YMCA (QLD) as a Safeguarding Children Organisation All YMCA organisations nationally, including Bundaberg most recently in October 2017 have gone through our rigorous Safeguarding Children Accreditation system to reduce the likelihood of children being abused or exploited while in their care. Bundaberg Young boy with goggles on swimming in a pool https://www.childhood.org.au/map/accrediting-bundaberg-ymca-qld-as-a-safeguarding-children-organisation/
Katherine
Supporting Intensive Youth Support Service in Katherine One of our therapeutic specialists from Darwin travels to Katherine (a 3-hour drive) every fortnight to spend three days supporting Anglicare NT’s Intensive Youth Support Service Workers. Katherine Young aboriginal adolescent girl looking away outside https://www.childhood.org.au/map/supporting-intensive-youth-support-service-in-katherine/
Adelaide
Providing therapeutic care in partnership with our partners Junction Australia in Adelaide. Our Adelaide Child Trauma Counselling Service provides specialist therapy and trauma-responsive group programs to children and their families who have experienced multiple trauma in their lives.

Our team of Senior Advisors also undertake training, reflective practice and supervision for professionals and carers supporting children and families impacted by trauma around Adelaide and throughout South Australia. Adelaide Young teenage girl in a cafe by the window looking outside https://www.childhood.org.au/map/providing-therapeutic-care-in-partnership-with-our-partners-junction-australia-in-adelaide/
Albury
Working in partnership with foster carers and residential care workers in Albury/Wodonga A trauma team of four staff in Albury/Wodonga supports foster carers and residential care workers who are looking after children and young people who cannot live at home for fear that they will be abused again. Albury Older woman and young boy with yellow t-shirt smiling and hugging https://www.childhood.org.au/map/working-in-partnership-with-foster-carers-and-residential-care-workers-in-albury-wodonga/
Darwin
Our Strong Ways Program in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy We support children and young people at risk of or engaged in the youth justice system to change their life trajectories. Darwin three aboriginal children faces smiling https://www.childhood.org.au/map/northern-territory-stories/
Alice Springs
Working with NPY Women’s Council in Alice Springs, NT Working in partnership with the Domestic Violence Team to develop a new approach to preventing family and community violence in remote communities across the NT, WA and SA borders. Alice Springs Young girl in purple t-shirt looking down and sad https://www.childhood.org.au/map/working-with-npy-womens-council-in-alice-springs-nt/
Hobart, Launceston, Burnie
Family violence counselling for children in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie 12 counsellors providing specialist family violence counselling to children and young people across Tasmania in a program supported by the state government. Each counsellor provides up to 3 hours of counselling per week for 10-14 children and their families. Hobart, Launceston, Burnie Young girl with blond hair and a blue top with purple hearts outside https://www.childhood.org.au/map/family-violence-counselling-for-children-in-hobart-launceston-and-burnie/
Perth
Our therapeutic, culturally strong care program for grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended families in Perth Our Perth Child Trauma Counselling Service provides specialist therapy and trauma-responsive group programs to children and their families who have experienced multiple trauma in their lives. We also undertake training, reflective practice and supervision for professionals and carers supporting children and families impacted by trauma throughout Western Australia. Perth Older man and adolescent girl in grey jumper hugging and smiling https://www.childhood.org.au/map/our-therapeutic-culturally-strong-care-program-for-grandparents-aunts-uncles-and-extended-families-in-perth/
East + West Kimberley
Broome, Derby and surrounds We work in partnership with CenterCare and Derby Aboriginal Health Service to promote placement stability, safety and wellbeing for children and young people. East + West Kimberley Two aboriginal girls with singlets on smiling outside https://www.childhood.org.au/map/supporting-kinship-carers/
Brisbane
Trauma training to drug and alcohol workers in Brisbane Trauma training to 150 drug and alcohol workers to enable them to better support young people to find comfort in the relationships around them and stop using harmful substances. Brisbane Teenage boy with curly hair in grey beanie standing facing backwards https://www.childhood.org.au/map/trauma-training-to-drug-and-alcohol-workers-in-brisbane/

Supporting Intensive Youth Support Service in Katherine

One of our therapeutic specialists from Darwin travels to Katherine (a 3-hour drive) every fortnight to spend three days supporting Anglicare NT’s Intensive Youth Support Service Workers.
Learn More
Katherine

States + Territories

  • Horsham

    ARISE WSW program for adolescents

    ARISE WSW is a program for adolescents who use violence in the home. This therapeutic program supports the young person (aged between 12-17 years) and their family make meaning of the behaviour, repair relationships and build stronger connections inside and outside of the home.
    Learn More

  • Mitcham

    Child Trauma Service in Mitcham

    The Child Trauma Service (Victoria) - Mitcham supports children, young people, their parents, carers, and families to recover from the traumatic impact of sexual abuse, family violence and neglect, through individual, dyadic and family counselling, along with therapeutic group programs. The program also provides counselling and support to children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour. This program is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing for families residing in the inner and outer eastern metro region, and operates from our Mitcham location.
    Learn More

  • All of NSW

    OurSPACE

    OurSPACE provides specialist outreach therapeutic trauma support covering all of NSW for children and young people under the age of 15 years who live in Foster Care or Kinship Care and have experienced at least two placement changes in the previous six months.

    For referrals or general enquiries please call 1300 381 581 or email intakeourspace@childhood.org.au.
    Learn More

  • Ringwood

    Popping Bubbles program for mums and bubs in Ringwood

    Trial of the Popping Bubbles program for women and their infants who have been affected by family violence, in partnership with the Eastern Domestic Violence Outreach Service in Ringwood.
    Learn More

  • Warrnambool

    HEART program

    The HEART program supports the healing and recovery from the experience of family violence, and works to build connection, attunement and re-establish relationships that have been ruptured by the violence. The program is funded by Family Safety Victoria.
    Learn More

  • Bairnsdale

    Trauma-informed care at a preschool in Bairnsdale, VIC

    Our Early Childhood Team is working with Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC) in their preschool centre to foster a trauma-informed and culturally strong approach to educating and supporting 3-4-year-old children.
    Learn More

  • Canberra

    Canberra

    A team of 8 therapeutic specialists is providing training and supervision to more than 200 professionals and 400 carers in and around Canberra and its suburbs.
    Learn More

  • Shepparton

    Providing therapy to children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour in Shepparton

    A specialist team running a therapeutic program for 15-18 children who have engaged in sexual behaviour that hurts other children has extended The Child Trauma Service (Victoria) - Shepparton supports children, young people, their parents, carers, and families to recover from the traumatic impact of sexual abuse and when children and young people engage in harmful sexual behaviour, through individual, dyadic and family counselling, along with therapeutic group programs. This program is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing for families residing in the Goulburn region, and operates from our Shepparton location.
    Learn More

  • Bundaberg

    Accrediting Bundaberg YMCA (QLD) as a Safeguarding Children Organisation

    All YMCA organisations nationally, including Bundaberg most recently in October 2017 have gone through our rigorous Safeguarding Children Accreditation system to reduce the likelihood of children being abused or exploited while in their care.
    Learn More

  • Katherine

    Supporting Intensive Youth Support Service in Katherine

    One of our therapeutic specialists from Darwin travels to Katherine (a 3-hour drive) every fortnight to spend three days supporting Anglicare NT’s Intensive Youth Support Service Workers.
    Learn More

  • Adelaide

    Providing therapeutic care in partnership with our partners Junction Australia in Adelaide.

    Our Adelaide Child Trauma Counselling Service provides specialist therapy and trauma-responsive group programs to children and their families who have experienced multiple trauma in their lives.

    Our team of Senior Advisors also undertake training, reflective practice and supervision for professionals and carers supporting children and families impacted by trauma around Adelaide and throughout South Australia.
    Learn More

  • Albury

    Working in partnership with foster carers and residential care workers in Albury/Wodonga

    A trauma team of four staff in Albury/Wodonga supports foster carers and residential care workers who are looking after children and young people who cannot live at home for fear that they will be abused again.
    Learn More

  • Darwin

    Our Strong Ways Program in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy

    We support children and young people at risk of or engaged in the youth justice system to change their life trajectories.
    Learn More

  • Alice Springs

    Working with NPY Women’s Council in Alice Springs, NT

    Working in partnership with the Domestic Violence Team to develop a new approach to preventing family and community violence in remote communities across the NT, WA and SA borders.
    Learn More

  • Hobart, Launceston, Burnie

    Family violence counselling for children in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie

    12 counsellors providing specialist family violence counselling to children and young people across Tasmania in a program supported by the state government. Each counsellor provides up to 3 hours of counselling per week for 10-14 children and their families.
    Learn More

  • Perth

    Our therapeutic, culturally strong care program for grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended families in Perth

    Our Perth Child Trauma Counselling Service provides specialist therapy and trauma-responsive group programs to children and their families who have experienced multiple trauma in their lives. We also undertake training, reflective practice and supervision for professionals and carers supporting children and families impacted by trauma throughout Western Australia.
    Learn More

  • East + West Kimberley

    Broome, Derby and surrounds

    We work in partnership with CenterCare and Derby Aboriginal Health Service to promote placement stability, safety and wellbeing for children and young people.
    Learn More

  • Brisbane

    Trauma training to drug and alcohol workers in Brisbane

    Trauma training to 150 drug and alcohol workers to enable them to better support young people to find comfort in the relationships around them and stop using harmful substances.
    Learn More

 

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