K.I.N.D. breaking the cycle of violence

Helping young people break the cycle of violence is the focus of a program being trialled in Queensland.

The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, in partnership with Children’s Health Queensland’s Forensic Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) and Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) are delivering the program called K.I.N.D.  K.I.N.D. stands for Kinship, Improving relationships, No violence and Developing skills.

Minister for Youth Justice, Leanne Linard said young people would be supported to participate in the K.I.N.D. trial. The goal of the program is to reduce the use of violence in the lives of young people and help them create safe and respectful relationships. 

“Supporting young people to make better decisions and keep themselves and their families safe is critical to getting their lives back on track,” Ms Linard said. 

The K.I.N.D. trial, developed by South Australia’s Youth Justice Department, is now enrolling its first clients in Queensland.

The program includes nine modules for the young person, six modules for the young person’s partner or family, and three modules attended jointly. The skills-based program will take between three and six months to complete. 

“By involving partners and family members we build everyone’s skills to deal with problems and find new ways to manage their anger. It also helps the young person be accountable for their actions and help everyone feel safe,” Ms Linard said.

Youth Justice service centres will refer clients to the program and manage the cases and Forensic CYMHS clinicians will deliver the program. 

Queensland Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath said the K.I.N.D. program was an innovative and intensive form of support for young people to help them deal with the effects of violence in their lives and their families.

“Specialist forensic clinicians will work closely with the young person and their families or partners to break the cycle of violence.  It is hoped that this will change their futures for the better by creating healthier relationships and more positive outcomes in life,” Ms D’Ath said.

Ms Linard said this new approach of working with young people who use violence can break the cycle of inter-generational domestic and family violence. 

“The program is currently being offered at BYS and will also be offered at Brisbane South and Ipswich Youth Justice centres and will then be extended to other regional locations. The trial will finish in December 2023 and will be evaluated by Griffith University,” she said.

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