Department of Social Services: Consultation on the Second Action Plan (National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children) - July 2026

It is vital to recognise and acknowledge the distinct experiences of young people today who, while undergoing significant developmental changes, are also facing vastly different economic, social, environmental and civil circumstances to previous generations. It is within this context that young people are not only at greater risk of experiencing violence but also perpetrating violence. Evidence shows that an assumption that young people would develop better understandings of and attitudes towards gender inequality and VAWC/GBV have not been directly realised in some key areas and so young people continue to hold misinformed beliefs and attitudes that are drivers of this violence.