Section 8: Supporting children’s mental health
8.8 Seeking help when feeling
unsafe in the home
Some children, when feeling unsafe in their
homes, sought help or told someone about their
concerns, although many did not.
As expressed in Figure 19, 3% of children stated
they did not feel safe in their home over the last
two years, and 10% ‘sometimes’ felt safe. These
children were also asked whether they told
someone or sought help. More children chose
not to seek help (50%) than to tell someone
(46%).
In free-text responses, children stated they
sought help in various ways. Most common
was talking to parents or other trusted family
members or friends. Children also reported
contacting Kids Helpline, telling their school,
speaking to a counsellor or psychologist, or
other professionals:
Those who did not seek help when they felt
unsafe gave similar reasons as those who had
reported they had challenges seeking help more
broadly. They spoke about fear of being rejected
or judged, or that speaking up may negatively
impact their families:
Figure 32: Children’s survey: did you tell someone when you felt unsafe?
4%
to
d spoke
n
a
e
m
o
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I left h mbers to hav
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m
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la
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, VIC
a sa
d 16–17
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to o s
care d
to as
—Gir
l, age
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d
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ds wh
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n
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t
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p
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9–11, fr
—Girl,
46%
50%
age
Yes (n=283)
No (n=310)
Did not answer question
(n=25)
Boy
ginal , aged 9–1
an
1
Strait d/or Torr ,
es
Island
er, VI
C
Abori
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fic cu 4–15, from
ltural
a
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, NSW
speci
aged
ethnic
—Boy,
ural or
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c
c
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spec
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an d
riginal
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–13, Ab
aged 12 trait Islander,
l,
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G
—
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NSW
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ability,
and/or
is
d
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wit
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‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 109