How YOU Can Help Young Survivors of Abuse

As parents, we LOVE to see our children thrive in life. We want them to be healthy and happy, but what about those that need a little extra assistance, what about at risk young people who are the survivors of childhood abuse and neglect?

How can we support these young adults within our community to be healthy, happy and confident?

Could you imagine what it’s like to be an abuse survivor and face school everyday? How about being a young adult trying to enter the workforce? What happens when the impact of trauma takes over your life and it’s hard to function ‘normally’? Quite often, young people who grow up in families where poverty, neglect or abuse are normal have their lives dictated to them – their days are ruled by court proceedings, professional interventions and more. This can make it even harder for them to take charge of their own lives and build confidence.

The stats around child abuse and neglect, in many different forms, are alarming. In 2017–18, about 159,000 children aged 0–17 received child protection services (an investigation, care and protection order or out-of-home care placement). This trauma experienced in childhood alters brain development which can lead to risk taking behaviour and problems in adolescence. According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies trauma is thought to have significant implications for the development of children’s cognition, language and self-identity. You may be surprised to realise survivors of traumatic childhoods go to the same school as your own children. The difference is, young people at risk may not feel like they have the same opportunities as your child does. With unstable family networks, adults in their lives tend to be professional workers and not role models or mentors who can help young minds shape goals and aspirations

What if we could offer them hope, encouragement and positive experiences? Whitelion is doing just that with ‘Invest In Me’ and you can help.

Whitelion’s vision is for all young people to have equal opportunities to succeed.

Whitelion’s purpose is to give young people the pride, courage & opportunities to change their lives.

If a young person between the ages of 10 and 25 is at risk due to isolation from mainstream opportunities or is experiencing the impact of trauma, Whitelion provides tailored services across the following program streams:

Outreach & case management
Mentoring
Vocational pathways including pre-employment, alternative education settings & employment placements

If you’d like to invest in the amazing programs Whitelion are offering at-risk young people you can do so by visiting the Whitelion website.

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

27 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 20 May 2023
    12:42 pm
I had never heard of them but it seems it no longer is a thing.

- - mom101628 said
  - 23 Oct 2019
    9:37 pm
Such a pity that this program is no longer available due to monetary problems. It was a sincere program and I’m sure it helped those children who were able to go there.

- - mom81879 said
  - 20 Oct 2019
    5:06 pm
I have a cousin who was sexually abused as a small child by her dad. Her mum was a drug addict and the younger kids were often left in the care of my cousin for days at a time as mum disappeared on benders. For a while, I was worried. My cousin was drinking too excess, not making good relationship choices, dabbling in drugs etc. Then she fell pregnant and what a turn around. She’s studying to get certificates to become a youth worker. Her son is now 5 and thriving at school. She still sometimes lapses when feeling overwhelmed, but it doesn’t last long.

- - Blossom said
  - 12 Sep 2019
    9:12 pm
They need to consider guys who are physically abused by their wives so much that they have to defend themselves (by grabbing the female’s hand) after being injured (kicked, punched in the head etc.) who then get charged and a avo taken out against them because they yell and get the neighbour’s attention. What’s worse one was protecting his children.

- - mom265671 said
  - 11 Sep 2019
    11:09 pm
A really great program that’s worthy!

- - mom101628 said
  - 11 Sep 2019
    9:08 pm
Fantastic programme. Hope it’s around for a long time to help those who need it.

- - Mummyofone77 said
  - 11 Sep 2019
    4:00 pm
What a beautiful program. Keep up the good work

- - shanika said
  - 30 Aug 2019
    12:29 pm
They are doing a good job.

- - mom152736 said
  - 27 Aug 2019
    8:05 am
Great initiative. Would be so helpful to the community. Great job

- - rnash02 said
  - 20 Aug 2019
    7:54 pm
This would benefit alot of people

- - serotonin said
  - 19 Aug 2019
    9:37 pm
Fantastic. I wish they had something like this for people older than 25 though. There are many who could benefit from it.
- Ellen replied
  
  27 Aug 2019 , 3:18 am
  Yes I agree, that would be good.
- - tessie said
  - 17 Aug 2019
    3:59 pm
This sounds like a great organization. Wish it had been around when I was young

- - rovermum said
  - 15 Aug 2019
    9:57 am
A fantastic program and support network. I’ve seen their work a little bit and they visited my son’s school. They really do go under the radar.
- Ellen replied
  
  20 Aug 2019 , 7:28 am
  What a pity they so go under the radar !
- - mom101628 said
  - 14 Aug 2019
    9:13 pm
What a wonderful program – why isn’t it promoted more through the media? Everyone should know about this programme and the work it does – it’s so similar to Lifeline and Beyond Blue which get heaps of recognition and this one deserves it too.
- Ellen replied
  
  15 Aug 2019 , 3:47 am
  Yes they sure deserve more recognition !
- - mom376182 said
  - 13 Aug 2019
    11:37 am
What a great and very much needed program.

- - DaffyD said
  - 11 Aug 2019
    10:47 am
Great read thanks

- - mom129591 said
  - 10 Aug 2019
    2:23 am
Sounds very supportive and helpful. Great article.

- - rnash02 said
  - 09 Aug 2019
    7:04 pm
Sounds like a great program

- - Blossom said
  - 09 Aug 2019
    6:52 pm
Do they also help children and help them report abuse? I know of a girl who was being sexually abused by her Dad so she was breaking into a car and sleeping in it most nights. The car owner found her in it one freezing cold night so he took her inside, rang a lady who dealt in such cases, the lady went and talked to her then took her to the Police Station to lodge a report. He had molested her earlier in the night so the Police arranged for her to be be examined in a hospital. Her Dad was charged and placed in Foster Care – with people who genuinely love and care for her

- - ella12 said
  - 06 Aug 2019
    4:04 pm
Whitelions sounds fantastic, what a great program.