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Addressing intergenerational poverty requires place-based approaches
Responses to intergenerational disadvantage must be tailored to individual communities and only long-term investments will help to improve outcomes, says Jesuit Social Services. “If the Federal Government wants to effectively and practically address complex intergenerational marginalisation and disadvantage, it must ensure it empowers communities to lead and support solutions and commit to change over the…
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One year anniversary of Royal Commission report a chance to reset
The one year anniversary of the final report of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory is an opportunity to take stock and re-commit ourselves to a youth justice system that strengthens, rather than harms, children, families and the community, says Jesuit Social Services. “All the evidence to the Royal Commission…
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New Darwin youth justice facility must be fast-tracked
Another incident at Darwin’s Don Dale centre overnight is further evidence that the new youth detention facilities, announced as a result of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory, must be fast-tracked says Jesuit Social Services. “In its final report last year, the Royal Commission found that facilities…
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Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health will save lives
Jesuit Social Services strongly commends the Victorian Government’s commitment to establish a Royal Commission into Mental Health if re-elected next month. “It is heartening to see the Victorian Government show such strong leadership to tackle another deeply entrenched societal issue, after already completing a groundbreaking Royal Commission into Family Violence,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO…
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An Australian first study by Jesuit Social Services’ The Men’s Project involving 1,000 men aged 18 to 30 has shown that young men who comply with society’s pressures to be a ‘real man’ report poorer mental health, are twice as likely to consider suicide, more likely to commit acts of sexual harassment and experience and…
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Mandatory sentencing laws a step backwards for Victoria
The passing of new laws that will impose mandatory prison sentences on people who assault emergency services workers is a step backwards for Victoria’s criminal justice system, says Jesuit Social Services. “We all agree that emergency services workers perform vital services in the community and should be safe at work. Mandatory sentencing is not the…
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Victoria needs evidence-based justice system, not new prison
A new 1,000-plus bed prison for Victoria, plans of which were revealed in the Herald-Sun this week, would be counter-productive to community safety, according to Jesuit Social Services. “We are extremely disappointed to learn of plans for another prison in Victoria, after the Victorian Government has already committed money to a new 700-bed prison in…
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Isolation in detention has irreversible impact on young adults
James (not his real name) was a teenager when he was subjected to isolation in detention. For 22 hours a day, he was locked in his cell. For the other two hours he was permitted out of his cell with a small group of fellow prisoners. When James left prison and returned to the community,…
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Damning report reveals extent of youth detention system failings
A damning report tabled today by the Victorian Auditor-General’s office reveals the shocking failures of the youth detention system to rehabilitate young people involved in the system, ultimately failing to reduce reoffending, says Jesuit Social Services. The report on Managing Rehabilitation Services in Youth Detention finds that young people in detention have not been receiving…
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Letter to the Editor re: African young people in Victoria
The below letter was submitted to the Herald-Sun on July 18, 2018 with regard to recent comments made by the Prime Minister about young African people in Victoria. Dear Editor, Comments by the Prime Minister regarding young African people in Victoria this week have been inflammatory, misleading and unhelpful. Rita Panahi’s article responding to comments…