Unsafe & Unseen: Spotlighting the needs and experiences of unaccompanied young people seeking shelter

Across Australia, young people trying to escape violence without a parent or guardian by their side often find themselves ‘handballed’ between systems as they sit at the intersection of family violence, homelessness and mental health risk.

The Unsafe & Unseen report, produced by the RMIT Centre for Innovative Justice (CIJ) in partnership with MCM (Melbourne City Mission), shines a light on the experiences of these young people. It highlights how the housing crisis, family violence, and a fragmented service system often leave young people unsafe, unsupported and unseen.

What the research found

Through interviews with young people and consultations with practitioners, the report reveals a confronting reality:

• Housing is the most urgent need. With limited youth-specific options, many young people are left cycling between unsafe refuges, temporary motels, or rough sleeping.
• The system is fragmented and complex. Young people are often “handballed” between services, forced to retell traumatic experiences, or excluded altogether due to rigid eligibility rules.
  “…all the workers I’ve seen and everyone that’s written about me and the amount of times I’ve told my story…I got juggled around and palmed off a lot.” – Young person
• Trauma recovery support is lacking. Even when safety is secured, the long-term impacts of violence and homelessness remain unaddressed. Additionally, young people are left grieving over a loss of familial relationships and missed “normal” childhood experiences.
• Young people are not recognised as victim survivors in their own right. Many reported being silenced or having their experiences minimised when seeking help.
  “…no one listens to the kid. Everyone listens to the adult…I picked that up at like seven.” – Young person

Despite these challenges, young people consistently demonstrated resilience, empathy and a clear vision for change. They called for responses that are trauma-informed, inclusive, and designed alongside young people.

The Unsafe & Unseen report and corresponding practice resource sets out practical ways to strengthen the system, including:

• Building capability to identify and respond appropriately to young people’s family violence risk.
• Expanding youth-specific housing options and removing financial barriers to access.
• Addressing the critical gap in trauma recovery and mental health support.
• Establishing a state-wide, youth-specific family violence case management program.
• Embedding lived experience at every stage of policy, service and system design.

MCM’s Amplify program reflects exactly what the research calls for: a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental space where young people can access intensive case management, build trust, and receive the wraparound support they need to move towards stability.

MCM’s commitment

At MCM, we work alongside young people every day through our refuges, education programs and wraparound supports. This research strengthens our advocacy for systemic change to ensure no young person is left unsafe or unseen.

As the Lived Experience Advisors guiding this work reminded us, this cannot be “just another report” – it must drive real, systemic change.