Youth Family Violence Service

Standing Together (AVITH PROGRAM)

Standing Together is a partnership between Drummond Street Services and the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), is here to support young people and their families experiencing substantial conflict within their family with a child or young person that may be enacting, or at risk of enacting harm towards others in the home. We are specialised in family violence services.

This service is occasionally called Adolescent Violence in the Home (AVITH), though we prefer not to use that term as it can be stigmatising for all involved.

Our program offers a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to helping young people and their families navigate difficult situations and strengthen family relationships and ensure the wellbeing and safety of children, young people and families.

Our Approach

We believe in a whole-of-family approach, where everyone involved receives the support and understanding they need. Our supportive environment ensures that both young people and their families can engage in therapeutic support that:

• Meets their diverse and dynamic needs;
• Helps them achieve their personal and family goals;
• Enhances overall wellbeing for both individuals and families.

Our Family Support Services for Young People Include:

• Comprehensive Risk Assessment: We listen to all perspectives and provide age-appropriate interventions and referrals to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
• Individual Therapeutic and Support Work: Personalised support to help young people understand their experiences and develop healthier relationships.
• Explorative Space: A safe and confidential environment where young people and families can discuss their experiences and feelings without fear of judgment.
• Supportive Processes and Tools: We help explore different choices within relationships, work towards healing, and foster supportive, positive dynamics.
• Specialist Family Support Practitioner: Provides guidance on healthy relationships, attachment, child development, and parenting skills.
• Referrals: Connections to additional services for a comprehensive and integrated support system.
• Collaborative and Coordinated Family Response: A united approach to improving family wellbeing.

Supporting Multicultural and Multifaith Young People and Families

As part of our Standing Together (AVITH) program, we also focus on multicultural and multifaith young people and their families. Our program recognises and respects the complexities of diverse family dynamics and cultural backgrounds, helping families navigate interactions with sensitivity and understanding.

The Standing Together (AVITH) program for multicultural and multifaith families offers:

• Understanding and Managing Emotions: Assisting young people in exploring and expressing their emotions in a healthy way.
• Building Positive Relationships: Encouraging healthy connections within the family and the community.
• Safe and Confidential Space: Providing a secure and judgment-free environment for discussing sensitive topics.
• Tailored Support: Offering customised assistance that respects individual cultural and faith perspectives.

Service Areas

Our service is available to multicultural and multifaith families in North and West Melbourne, with a focus on Wyndham and public housing areas in inner-city Melbourne. Funded by the State Government of Victoria, our program serves the northwestern suburbs of Melbourne.