Junction joined our Ovens Murray ­Community Services Network ­colleagues for the premiere screening of the Unanswered Calls documentary.

This documentary raises awareness of the urgent need to better support children and young people experiencing domestic and family violence to ensure they do not fall through the gaps.

The film invited us to reflect on how we see children and young people within the context of family violence, and how we ensure their stories are told, their voices are heard, and their healing and recovery are at the centre of our work.

Several local services presented Ted Talks-style talks as part of the screening, with Kelsey from our RISE counselling team representing Junction and the work we do in supporting children and young people.

Kelsey’s presentation highlighted how children and young people are often invisible in the systems designed to protect them, perceived only as bystanders rather than individuals with their own needs and stories.

The day reminded us of what it truly means to centre children and young people as survivors in their own right — not only as passive witnesses to violence.

It called on us to respond to their individual needs in ways that promote healing, recovery and empowerment.

In doing so, we can change the trajectory of many lives — helping children who experience family violence understand they can grow into thriving adults who trust themselves and their place in the world.