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Our Youth Advisory Committee

Read the YAC Report Here!

As an organisation that values the inclusion and empowerment of young people, in 2023 we established a Youth Advisory Committee to ensure that young people’s voices directly shaped our work.

The committee was comprised of incredible 16–25‑year‑olds who brought passion, insight and lived experience across violence prevention, consent education and LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equity. Their contributions strengthened the way the organisation engaged with young people and informed our annual advocacy priorities.

Why this work mattered

Body Safety Australia is Victoria’s largest and most trusted provider of school programs designed to help children be safer and happier. Our commitment to promoting childhoods free from violence means that young people’s perspectives are essential, not optional, in shaping our programs, messaging and advocacy.

The Youth Advisory Committee played a vital role in:

  • Providing feedback on program content and delivery, ensuring it reflected the realities and needs of young people.

  • Guiding research directions, helping us identify emerging issues and gaps in prevention education.

  • Co‑creating advocacy campaigns, amplifying youth voices and centring lived experience in our public messaging.

  • Strengthening our commitment to inclusion, particularly for LGBTQIA+ young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, young people with disability, and those from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

What we achieved together

Over the course of nine months, the committee:

  • Worked collaboratively as a group of up to 15 young people, building a shared vision for safer, more equitable communities.

  • Shaped strategic planning, influencing how the organisation approached prevention, education and community engagement.

  • Developed and delivered advocacy initiatives, supported by the organisation’s staff and resources.

  • Built networks and leadership skills, contributing to a stronger youth voice within the primary prevention sector.

Pathways and lasting impact

One of the most meaningful outcomes of the Youth Advisory Committee was seeing young people move from advisory roles into leadership positions within the organisation. Mitali, one of the committee members, went on to become an educator at Body Safety Australia. Her journey reflected the core purpose of the committee: creating genuine pathways for young people to influence, shape and ultimately deliver the work of primary prevention. Mitali’s transition into an educator role demonstrated the depth of talent within the committee and the importance of investing in youth leadership. You can read more about her journey at BSA in her bio under the Our Team section on the our website.