Presenting: Young men, intimate partner violence and youth substance use: Youth Support. and Advocacy Service/No to Violence collaboration to build capacity

Bianca Johnston is a Social Worker, Criminologist and Senior Youth Work Practitioner with over 16  years’ experience in the youth area. Bianca has had roles with young people in both statutory and community settings including Child Protection, Out of Home Care and Youth Alcohol and other Drug services. 

She has a focus on specialist responses for youth, youth AOD, early intervention and crime prevention. Her work has ranged from individual support, therapeutic groups, youth advocacy groups, research, large scale community arts projects and workforce and sector capacity building. 

From 2018 onwards Bianca has designed, coordinated and delivered a capacity building project at YSAS aiming to enhance youth and Youth AOD responses to family violence. A key focus of her research and practice has been engagement and intervention with young women who experience complex issues including intimate and family violence, criminal justice system contact and trauma. 

Bianca currently undertakes a Masters of Philosophy (via Research) into young women's experiences of Intimate Partner Violence at Monash University.  

Bianca is a committed advocate for young women and is leading practice change in the Victorian Youth support service.