Media releases Archives - Jesuit Social Services

‘Adult time for violent crime’ laws won’t reduce youth crime or improve community safety
- 12 November 2025
The Victorian Government’s plan to introduce ‘adult time for violent crime’ laws – which could see children aged 14 sentenced to life in prison – is deeply concerning, will not make the community safer and is incompatible with the fundamental rights of children.
Teen boys who most strongly support rigid views about masculinity are more likely to cause harm to themselves and others
- 6 November 2025
A landmark new report released by The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services today finds that many young people across Australia identify significant pressure on boys to adhere to rigid, restrictive ideas about masculinity.
New Federal funding will support child safety: Jesuit Social Services
- 21 August 2025
Jesuit Social Services has received funding from the Australian Government to establish and deliver an expanded child sexual abuse prevention service which includes a free and anonymous helpline, website and online self-help resources for adults who are concerned about their own or someone else’s sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviour towards children. The service will work…
Closing the Gap report highlights need for national leadership on children and young people
- 1 August 2025
The Productivity Commission’s annual Closing the Gap report finds that just four of 19 targets are on track to be met, and that outcomes are worsening across a range of indicators for Aboriginal children and young people, demonstrating the need for Federal leadership to ensure vulnerable individuals, families and communities are supported to thrive.
State Budget a missed opportunity to focus on prevention and early intervention
- 20 May 2025
The Victorian Government’s 2025-26 State Budget, handed down today, includes some positive investments to support the community to address current cost-of-living challenges. But, with well over half a billion dollars being invested into expanding the state’s prison system, it is ultimately a missed opportunity to invest more into prevention and early intervention to support stronger…
Expanding prison capacity is money spent at wrong end of the system
- 13 May 2025
A $727 million expansion of Victoria’s prison capacity, announced ahead of the 2025/26 State Budget, is money spent at the wrong end of the system and won’t do anything to prevent crime in the long run, says Jesuit Social Services.
Federal Government has a historic opportunity to improve outcomes for those most in need
- 6 May 2025
Jesuit Social Services congratulates the Albanese Government on its re-election, and says the Federal Government has a significant opportunity to commit to bold policies and investments that give all Australians, particularly children, young people and those on the margins, an opportunity to flourish.
Jesuit Social Services mourns Pope Francis
- 23 April 2025
The death of Pope Francis is important for us at Jesuit Social Services because he was a Jesuit who became head of the Catholic Church from which we descend. His death, however, is more significant, more personal to us, because in his life he displayed spectacularly the qualities that are in our DNA.
Federal Budget a missed opportunity for national leadership on youth justice
- 27 March 2025
The 2025-26 Federal Budget represents a missed opportunity for the Federal Government to show national leadership on youth justice at a time when many states and territories are shunning the evidence of what works in preventing crime.
Links between pornography and gender based violence must be addressed
- 25 March 2025
More research is needed to better understand links between the consumption of pornography and harmful attitudes and behaviours in men and boys, harmful sexual behaviour in young people, and child sexual abuse, in order to ultimately prevent violence and abuse from occurring, says Jesuit Social Services.