Behind the behaviour, there’s a story.
Sometimes the signs are easy to miss.
A young person who suddenly withdraws. Anger that seems to come from nowhere. Trouble at school. Relationships beginning to break down. Sometimes, those behaviours are signs of something much deeper.
For adolescent boys who have experienced family, domestic and sexual violence, making sense of what has happened can be incredibly difficult. At this age, they may not yet have the emotional development, language or tools to understand and express what they're feeling. Instead, grief, fear, confusion and hurt can come out as anger, withdrawal or an explosion of emotions.
These behaviours aren't simply "bad behaviour". They can be signs of a young person carrying experiences they haven't yet had the opportunity to process.
That's why we established the Supporting Adolescent Boys Trial (SABT).
Supporting young males aged 12 to 18 across northern and southern Tasmania, SABT provides individual support over 6 to 12 months, wherever each young person feels safe. Through shared activities, conversations and practical experiences, trust is built one step at a time.
Together, they explore healthy relationships, build confidence and learn ways to understand and express their emotions, while strengthening connections with family, education and community.
SABT is about recovery and healing. Not just for the young person, but for the people around them. Where appropriate, families and carers are supported to better understand what a young person is experiencing, strengthen their relationships and begin healing together.
Without the right support, the impacts of trauma can continue into adulthood, affecting education, employment, relationships and mental health, and for some young people, increasing the risk of involvement with the justice system.
By investing early, we're helping break cycles of violence and creating space for something different: young people who can understand their experiences, build healthy relationships and see possibilities for their future.