From the
President
and CEO
It is shocking that in a society
which has so much prosperity
and wealth, that the numbers of
children and young people
suffering family violence, abuse
and neglect has increased by 50%
over the past 5 years. Across
Australia, 35 children are
reported to child protection
authorities every hour.
Berry Street’s Vision is that All children should
have a good childhood, growing up in families and
communities where they feel safe, nurtured and have
hope for the future.
Clearly, this is not the case for far too many children.
We understand the web of complex factors – mental
illness, long-term unemployment and poverty, homelessness,
substance abuse and family violence – which prevent parents
from being the mother or father they want to be.
Wherever possible, we work with parents to create the
conditions where their children can flourish.
When children and young people can’t live safely at home, we
help their relatives or carers to understand the impact of abuse
and neglect.
And always, we are focussed on the particular needs of the child and
young person themselves, how we can help them deal with the trauma
they have suffered and slowly rebuild their lives.
Our work is endlessly challenging, with never enough resources to do what
we’d ideally want/is needed and within a society that tends to judge and
blame, rather than try to understand.
This Annual Report provides a glimpse of the remarkable achievements of our
committed and skilled staff and volunteers. We thank them for Never Giving Up
and also our many supporters and colleagues who share our Vision.
Laurinda Gardner
President
Sandie de Wolf
Chief Executive Officer