While domestic violence policy and service responses are to focus on the rights and needs of children in the service system, as a cohort, children continue to be overshadowed in the service system which can be perceived as more adult-centric. Forty-nine participants from five cohorts: mothers with experiences of domestic violence, domestic violence service providers, child clinicians, human research ethics committee members and domestic violence researchers were involved in a PhD study that explored the barriers and enablers to conducting domestic violence research with children. Findings indicate that the discourse relating to domestic violence, and how domestic violence is understood, along with service provision structures and systems, can inadvertently marginalise children in service delivery. Participants in this study also highlighted the resource barriers that exist which means service providers may not be able to specifically focus on children’s unique needs and circumstances. This paper offers some suggestions for enabling the voice of children in domestic violence research, policy, and service development processes. Adopting a child-rights focus and a trauma-safe approach are necessary first steps to safeguard children in these processes.

3 Key Learnings:
1. Participants will learn about the barriers to children's domestic violence research participation.
2. Participants will learn about strategies to safely enable children in domestic violence service development processes
3. Participants will learn about the significance of children's rights and trauma-safe processes in safely enabling the voice of children in service delivery.