A recent Uniting study shows almost two-thirds of families supported by our family services were experiencing family violence when they began receiving support.
In 2025 we undertook an evaluation of our family services programs to better understand the prevalence and nature of family violence within those services. This followed growing anecdotal evidence that family violence is increasingly present within the families we support.
Our family services are built around the belief that every family deserves the opportunity to work towards a happier, healthier future. We provide early intervention supports to strengthen the safety, stability and development of vulnerable children, young people and their families.
The report also surveyed current practices, challenges and opportunities to strengthen responses to family violence within those services.
Key findings
The study showed that family violence is widespread in our family services, with almost two-thirds of families supported by our family services experiencing family violence – often at high-risk levels – at the time of intake.
Non-physical forms of family violence, such emotional abuse and coercive control, are the most common forms of family violence encountered in family services.
Meaningful progress is being made to reduce risk and support families within our services, with no cases remaining at high-risk at the end of the program support.
