Children and young people are more than witnesses to domestic and family violence (DFV); they experience DFV and its impacts directly. This paper​ considers progress in embedding the understanding of children and young people as victim-survivors of DFV within New South Wales policy and practice, looking at social services, education, justice and child protection.

The report details the state of children’s rights in Queensland. It examines key areas, including child safety, youth justice, health, education, cultural connection and youth participation. The report warns that current policies and inaction on key priority areas are worsening entrenched inequity for children and young people.

The paper presents a collective stance from researchers and industry bodies on the responsible and respectful use of children’s digital data in social media and online communications within education settings in Australia. It outlines five principles to advocate for a shared understanding of the key issues regarding the sharing of children’s data on social media.

A review of solitary confinement and similar practices in youth detention in Australia. The report finds these practices cause serious harm, breach international human rights standards and disproportionately affect First Nations children and children with disability. It makes 24 recommendations to prohibit solitary confinement, strengthen safeguards and ensure youth justice systems adopt trauma-informed, rights-based approaches.

This submission highlights how the Australian youth justice system is failing children and young people through early exclusion at school, missed disability support, unsafe detention practices and inconsistent access to education. The submission calls for strong Commonwealth leadership to set enforceable national standards that protect children’s rights and safety across all jurisdictions.