Friends with Dignity is set to launch the 12th round of its Little Friends Scholarship Program – an Australian-first program that awards bi-annual monetary scholarships to children throughout Australia affected by domestic family violence.

The Little Friends Scholarships were established to ensure all children have the ability to further their education, or be able to participate in extracurricular activities, that they may not have the chance to pursue due to the financial impact of domestic and family violence.

Two scholarships up to $500 are guaranteed to be awarded per state or territory, with the remaining balance being awarded on an ‘as needed basis’.

“We all know that schooling is not cheap, so a lot of extracurricular activities will be pushed aside. The Little Friend Scholarships give families the opportunity to say yes to more opportunities, such as being involved in a sports team, or going away on school camp,” said Jaqui Brosnan, Friends with Dignity National Scholarships Manager.

“It allows these children to get out there, be social and stand out for the right reasons,”

The not-for-profit organisation responded to requests from the community to contribute to their Little Friends Scholarship program by launching the Little Friends Scholarship Community Fund, allowing the general public to also help children in need.

“Donations to the Little Friends Scholarship Community Fund can be large or small. All funds received will be pooled together in $500 amounts (the size of a scholarship), and all donations over $2 are tax deductible,” she added.

According to the Childhood Domestic Violence Association, it is statistically proven that exposure to domestic violence has a huge impact on children. Experts say that exposure can lead to short- and long-term negative mental, behavioural, and social effects.

“Many of the children that have historically applied for a scholarship are suffering from significant trauma, some even with PTSD,” said Brosnan.

Friends with Dignity is appealing to the corporate sector, charity groups, philanthropists and the community at large to throw their support behind its Little Friends Scholarship Program.

Applications for round 12 open on Monday, January 23, 2023, and close on Friday, February 24, 2023.