A lack of concentration, poor behaviour at school, anxiety, anger and repeating violent behaviour seen at home are some signs that are common in children who experience family violence.
The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), alongside Jenny Mikakos, Minister for Children and Families, today launched a four part video campaign to raise awareness of the issue.
“The impact of violence really does impact on children from a very early age, right through until adolescence, until they enter relationships,” VACCA CEO Muriel Bamblett told NITV News.
“Children who have experienced violence are over represented in out of home care. Almost 90 per cent of children come into care because of family violence here in Victoria.”
The four videos show real ways children can act when they've experienced family violence at home, and are set in social and classroom settings.
Actor Mark Nannup said it was important to him to get involved because the issue was reminiscent of his own childhood experiences.
"Seeing myself in the video clip brought back a lot of memories," Mr Nannup said.
"Even to this day living on college campus when you hear people shouting and screaming you go running out to see if someone's okay. It just brings back that trauma of screaming and shouting."
Mr Nannup hopes it brings awareness of what is and isn't normal behaviour in the family home.
"We really need to break that cycle. I for one definitely don't scream and shout around anymore because I know that can be quite traumatic for people around me who might have grown up in the same environment," he said.
Ms Mikakos also announced that the Agency would receive $260,000 over two years to deliver case management services to family violence perpetrators, to help keep families together.
"This investment will assist in keeping families safer by engaging with perpetrators and meeting their needs, including linking in with drug and alcohol, and mental health services," Ms Mikakos said.
"Case management for perpetrators is in addition to a boost of $9.1 million for more places in men's behaviour change programs, and $2.3 million for men’s intake and referral services over two years."
The money will help create approximately 4000 places for men in programs across the state.
