Youth workers learn about ADNSW services to improve assistance for younger Australians

September 2021

ADNSW is dedicated to raising awareness about our services to the community. On 8 September, we engaged with Youth Action who coordinated an online session with representatives from youth organisations in NSW. Youth Action is the NSW peak body representing young people and the services that support them.

The aim of the session was to inform these organisations who were unaware of ADNSW services on how our services could benefit youth who experience discrimination.

Claire Williams, Assistant Community Engagement Officer, dispelled common misconceptions young people had about ADNSW services such as the enquiry service only being available for adults. She reminded the participants ADNSW services are free and people can maintain confidentiality when using the enquiry service. There is no age restriction when making an enquiry or complaint.

Claire encouraged youth organisations to promote our enquiry service to young people to call if they were unsure if they had experienced discrimination or wanted more information. Our online community reporting tool was also discussed as a useful way for people to maintain their confidentiality when reporting discrimination.

Claire mentioned that in previous engagement sessions with youth, they have discussed age discrimination in employment and in goods and services such as pubs and nightclubs (for over 18 years and prior to lockdown), sex discrimination in part time employment, and race discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants discussed ‘hot topics’ amongst the youth they work with including employment being terminated based on where people live (e.g. if they live in a COVID-19 hotspot area in Western or South Western Sydney) and vaccine/mask discrimination in public areas that may arise in the coming months. ADNSW coverage of these topics is limited. More information on masks and vaccines can be found on the ADNSW website.

If your organisation would like to a book a free community information session, call us on (02) 9268 5544 or email adbmedia@justice.nsw.gov.au.