This third and final report from the Supporting Quality Engagement with Children consultation project focused on the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032, in particular prevention and early intervention. It shares the views of over 300 children and young people across all Australian jurisdictions, including metropolitan, regional and remote locations. 

Consultations explored how children define and discover safe and positive relationships, where and how children get information and support around safety in relationships, and what else they need. The report contains eight recommendations aimed at embedding children’s voices into prevention systems and strengthening Australia’s response to gender‑based violence.

Key findings

• Children have a clear vision of safe and positive relationships: supportive, comfortable, protective, fostered by trust, communication and respect.
• Understanding safety in relationships is often influenced by what young people have experienced and can vary depending on many factors, including age, gender or culture. 
• Children spoke of the critical role families and friends, schools, communities, media and online environments each play in early intervention and prevention.
• Young people highly value opportunities to have their voices heard in shaping policies and programs to ‘end the cycle’.