Berry Street workers answer: The facts you might not know about childhood trauma

Childhood is supposed to be a time of innocence and joy. Yet tragically, for many Australian children, it's a time marked by trauma due to experiencing violence, abuse and neglect.

Berry Street Take Two and family violence staff recently shared their invaluable insights into the devastating impact of childhood trauma on children and families. Often, trauma’s effects are far-reaching and can last long into adulthood.

This behind-the-scenes look highlights the profound and often overlooked consequences of violence and abuse, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by children and the critical role of support services in helping them process and heal from their experiences.

Watch the video now to hear about the devastating impacts of childhood trauma you might not know about.

There is stark evidence on the widespread nature of childhood trauma. The recent Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) found that more than two in five Australians (39.4%) have experienced childhood maltreatment, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic and family violence. These statistics are unfortunately familiar to our staff, who recognise the widespread occurrence of childhood abuse, even as it remains a largely hidden problem.

These experiences have a profound and lasting impact, significantly increasing the risk of mental health problems, addiction, and risk-taking behaviours throughout a person’s life.

The ACMS reveals some particularly concerning findings:

• High prevalence of childhood maltreatment: Nearly 40% of Australians have faced childhood maltreatment, with a significant proportion (29.4%) experiencing three or more types

• Increase in risky behaviours: Child maltreatment dramatically increases the likelihood of three serious health risk behaviours: cannabis dependence, self-harm, and suicide attempt.

• Increased risk of mental disorders: Children who’ve experienced child maltreatment are at significantly increased risk of experiencing mental health disorders like, PTSD, major depressive disorders, anxiety or severe alcohol use disorder.

These findings are in-line with what our Take Two and family violence staff are seeing every day. As described in the video, our staff work with children to recover from the effects of trauma – they help them to engage at school, learn to play with others and make sense of the violence and abuse they have experienced. This work can take many months or years, as it is well-understood that childhood experiences affect kids into the long-term.

Addressing childhood trauma so that a young person can recover often takes a multi-disciplinary approach. Berry Street offers a range of evidence-based programs to support children and families, including Multisystemic Therapy (MST). MST is an intensive, home-based program designed to address the complex needs of children at risk of out-of-home placement due to behavioural and other problems. It aims to keep young people living safely at home, in school and out of the justice system. MST works by helping improve the interactions between children, their caregivers, and the broader social environment, fostering a safe and supportive home life.

In addition to MST, Berry Street's Take Two program provides a comprehensive range of trauma-informed interventions for children and young people. These services include individual therapy, family therapy, and group programs designed to address the emotional and psychological impacts of trauma. Therapists use evidence-based approaches to help children and families develop coping skills, process difficult experiences, and build resilience.

Berry Street staff see children and young people living with the effects of trauma every day. We know there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but with multi-disciplinary action, and ensuring a child is supported by trusted adults, recovery can occur.

To learn more about our trauma services, click here or watch the video of Berry Street staff discussing the effects of childhood trauma that are not often talked about.