The prevalence of domestic or family violence among homeless youth is "significantly higher" than previously thought, according to a report that highlights this as the main reason why young people end up on the streets.
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The peak body for youth homelessness in NSW, Yfoundations, argues that young people's experiences with violence in the home is a neglected area in Australia, leaving those affected caught in a gap between child protection and domestic violence services.
In a survey undertaken of NSW youth homelessness services over two days earlier this month, the organisation found that a majority of the 38 respondents reported that more than half of the 1800 young people seeking their assistance had experienced domestic and family violence.
Additionally, almost half of the services reported 80 per cent or more of their clients had experienced violence in the home.
"Drawing upon data generated from the snapshot survey and anecdotal evidence from service providers, we anticipate the rate of domestic and family violence amongst young people experiencing homelessness to be significantly higher than what is currently being reported," Yfoundations' Slamming the Door report said.
According to national statistics, a third of all young people between the ages of 10 and 24 seeking help from homelessness services had experienced violence in the home.
The survey also found that connections between youth homelessness services and domestic and family violence services to be "often fairly weak", with only about a third reporting some kind of partnership.
"Too often, conversations about youth homelessness do not emphasise domestic violence, and debates about domestic violence tend not to address youth," Yfoundations chief executive Michael Coffey said.
"In the gap between these is a group of highly disadvantaged young people who are not getting the specialist support that they need."
The report makes a number of recommendations to improve the policies, programs and services to address the problem.
These include recognising young people as a distinct group in discussions of community and family violence, "more integrated service opportunities" and improved data collection "to accurately identify the prevalence of [domestic and family violence] on emerging adults".
A spokeswoman for Family and Community Services Minister Brad Hazzard said the Premier had included addressing domestic violence and youth homelessness in his top 12 priorities.
"The government is currently spending $55 million of taxpayer funds on more than 100 specialist homelessness services for young people through to June 2020," the spokeswoman said.
"Getting it right for youth is a critical part of the Premier's priorities and we will do whatever it takes to improve outcomes for young people."
