Jenna Roberts is a proud Aboriginal woman with extensive experience working in rural and regional communities, across mental health, drug and alcohol services and the domestic, family and sexual violence sector. As Assistant Commissioner for the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission, she is committed to ensuring that governments across Australia meet their targets to reduce the rates of violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
At the 8th National Child Protection Forum happening this week, she will join a panel discussion that seeks to navigate challenges at the intersection of domestic family violence and child protection. Third Sector asked her to give us some insights into the topic.
Tell us more about the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission. How would you describe the work that you’re doing?
The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission was established on 1 November 2022. The Commission’s role is to promote and monitor the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, amplify the voices of people with lived and living experience, foster collaboration and coordination and provide strategic advice to government.
We aim to foster collaboration and coordination across communities, organisations and governments to inform meaningful and powerful change.
In our first Yearly Report to Parliament in August 2024, we identified children and young people, engaging men and boys, sexual violence, and systems harm as our key areas of policy priority. So, it’s great to be part of this conference, which will consider the role of child protection and its intersections with family violence risk, exposure and systems.
What are your reflections on the current state of the child protection and family violence systems, and the intersections between them?
The Commission hears regularly from people who have navigated the child protection system while experiencing family violence, either from parents or from people who experienced the system as children and young people. We know that there can be a great deal of fear, for both children and parents, when disclosing family violence because of concerns about the ramifications for the family unit. We hear too often from parents who are frightened to disclose family violence because they don’t want to lose their children, and from children who are scared that if they tell an adult about what they’re experiencing, their voice won’t be heard.
So much work still needs to be done to ensure that the complex systems providing support to children are reflecting their needs and wishes, and that the design of those systems does not result in unintended consequences for children and families.
One of my reflections about how all kinds of systems intersect is the way each system develops its own language to describe things, and what a barrier this can be to effective collaboration.
Most importantly, I think it’s important for all of us to understand that these systems have been built by adults. That means that their focus is on reducing risk to and for adults, rather than having a focus on the needs and rights of children at their core.
Let’s talk about your upcoming panel discussion at the 8th National Child Protection Forum. What are the things you’re hoping to learn?
We have a brilliant panel scheduled with Deanne Carson from Body Safety Australia and Belinda Simon from Headspace in Dubbo, who will share with us important insights about their work with young people. Deanne and Belinda both have experience working with young people from prevention through to referral and response, and have great insights into the kinds of systems and supports young people need. I’m keen to learn more about the practical ways in which programs like Body Safety Australia and Headspace’s outreach services can be used to keep kids and families safe, through their deep commitment to collaborative practice, co-design and centring of young people.
Catch Jenna Roberts and colleagues as they address the intersecting needs of child safety and family dynamics. Register for the forum here.
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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