Ms Kate O'Connell:

I refer to access to services and the structural and perceived barriers to young people who need particular services. Often, families and young people are very fearful of coming forward even if those services, such as mental health, health or youth services, are available. Even within schools, young people who should feel they can go to adults, principals or year tutors have this issue that prevents them from making meaningful relationships with significant adults in their lives. While there are structural barriers that are very important, the all-encompassing fear of detection and a sense of having to protect the family is another barrier that may be difficult to quantify but is pervasive in young people's lives.