Family and Domestic Violence Specialist Program
The Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) Specialist Program delivered by Parkerville Children and Youth Care provides specialised, trauma-informed psychological support to children, young people and their families impacted by family and domestic violence across Western Australia.
The program supports children and young people who have experienced family and domestic violence directly, as well as those exposed through hearing, witnessing or living with its impacts on a parent or caregiver. Parkerville recognises children and young people as victims-survivors of family and domestic violence in their own right, and responds with care that prioritises safety, recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Supporting Children and Families Affected by Family and Domestic Violence
Proudly supported by the Department of Justice, the FDV Specialist program assists families to cope with the emotional, psychological and relational impacts of family and domestic violence, addressing individual needs while supporting the wellbeing of the wider family unit.
Why Specialist FDV and Homicide Support Is Needed
Family and domestic violence continues to have devastating impacts on children, families and communities across Western Australia. In 2025, approximately 40% of homicides and related offences in WA were related to family and domestic violence, and 65% of all reported assaults were associated with FDV.
For some families, this includes experiencing the sudden or violent loss of a loved one, which can have significant and lasting impacts on children and young people.
This highlights the need for specialist therapeutic support that responds to the complex and cumulative trauma children and young people may experience following family and domestic violence, including trauma linked to violence, loss and other forms or harm.
Our Commitment to Trauma-Informed Services
Parkerville has a long-standing commitment to delivering trauma informed services for children and young people.
We understand that children impacted by family and domestic violence may experience symptoms similar to other forms of complex trauma, including anxiety, emotional dysregulation, behavioural challenges and difficulties in relationships.
Through Parkerville’s long history of expertise working with children and young people impacted by complex trauma, we consistently observe strong correlations between experiences of child sexual abuse and exposure to family and domestic violence, reinforcing the need for specialist support that is designed for children and young people, and uses evidence-based approaches that are known to help.
A Comprehensive and Child-Centred Approach
Parkerville’s FDV Specialist Program delivers a holistic, child-centred approach to recovery following family and domestic violence.
Therapeutic interventions are designed to improve daily functioning, reduce anxiety and depression, strengthen emotional regulation, and address trauma responses, while always prioritising safety and stability within the family system.
Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies
The program is grounded in evidence-based treatment approaches, tailored to meet the unique needs of each child, young person and family.
Therapeutic types of therapy may include:
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
- Behavioural Therapy
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Across these approaches, therapy supports emotional regulation, adaptive coping strategies, healthy relationships and boundaries, self-esteem and resilience, delivered through a client-centred and strengths-based framework.
Empowering Children and Young People
Beyond reducing symptoms, the program focuses on empowering children and young people to understand, express and manage feelings related to their experiences of family and domestic violence.
Through therapeutic engagement, children and young people are supported to build emotional regulation skills, develop safe coping strategies, enhance wellbeing and confidence, and prioritise safety planning and protective strategies.
How We Support Families and Caregivers
Support and education form a core component of the program, helping children, young people and their caregivers understand trauma and its impacts on emotional, social and psychosocial functioning.
By building the capacity of safe caregivers, the program promotes environments that foster healing, security and long‑term stability.
Children are also supported to learn about healthy relationships, boundaries and safety, reinforcing the message that abuse is never acceptable and is never their fault.
Accessing the Program
Children, young people and families may access the FDV Specialist Program through referrals from:
- WA Police
- Department of Communities
- Other agencies
- Self-referrals
Get Help or Learn More
For further information about the Family and Domestic Violence Specialist Program, please contact:
Email: adminteam@parkerville.org.au
Phone: (08) 9391 1900
You don’t have to go through this alone.
Support is available, and help is here when you need it.
The program currently supports people living in parts of Perth’s east and south metropolitan areas, including Armadale and Rockingham and surrounding areas.
If you’re unsure whether this includes you, please reach out, we’re here to help.
