-
Suicide risk cannot be dealt with in isolation
New research showing the suicide toll exceeded the road toll in 28 electorates across the country is crucial in urging our country’s leaders to commit to a national suicide prevention program. But in many areas of Australia, the suicide risk cannot be dealt with in isolation from a complex web of persistent disadvantage, according to…
-
A ten-fold over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth on community orders and in youth detention means these children are at risk of becoming a new Stolen Generation unless significant action is taken, says Jesuit Social Services. In the lead up to National Sorry Day, the organisation has analysed data from the Australian Institute…
-
People seeking asylum on Manus Island must be processed in Australia
In response to the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court’s ruling that Australia’s detention of people seeking asylum on Manus Island is illegal, Jesuit Social Services has called on the Federal Government to commit to processing the applications of approximately 850 people currently on Manus Island here in Australia. “Yesterday’s decision by Papua New Guinea’s Supreme…
-
Youth diversion helps young people avoid lifetime involvement with the justice system
Jesuit Social Services has welcomed the Victorian Government’s $5.6 million budget investment to expand the current Youth Diversion Pilot Program which steers vulnerable young people away from future involvement in the justice system and works to reduce reoffending. “Youth diversion programs are crucial in allowing young people to address the causes behind their offending while…
-
State Government must commit to 15 per cent reduction in reoffending: Jesuit Social Services
Ahead of the Victorian State Budget, Jesuit Social Services has urged the State Government to commit to achieving a 15 per cent reduction in reoffending rates over the next five years. “Every dollar spent in the budget is a dollar not being spent on vital community services like housing, education and mental health,” says Jesuit…
-
Increasing Indigenous prison rates requires a rethink
New data released yesterday revealing a further increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people incarcerated in Victoria is evidence that further work is needed to meet the specific needs of these groups in the justice system, says Jesuit Social Services. Quarterly Corrective Services statistics published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics…
-
Postvention support crucial in addressing rising suicide numbers
An increase in the number of people who took their own lives in 2014, as revealed in new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, is evidence that further funding and support is needed to tackle the crisis. The ABS’ annual Causes of Death report reveals that 2,861 people died by intentional self-harm in…
-
Bail Amendment Bill will help vulnerable young people
Jesuit Social Services congratulates the Victorian Government on the passing of the Bail Amendment Bill 2015, which will help address the alarming increase in the number of children arrested and held on remand in Victoria. “Most young offending is episodic, transitory and unlikely to constitute a risk to the safety and welfare of the community,”…
-
CatholicCare, Jesuit Social Services and MacKillop Family Services have offered to lead a coordinated response to house and care for the 267 asylum seekers at risk of being returned to Nauru, following Melbourne Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart’s call for action from the Catholic community. “CatholicCare, MacKillop Family Services and Jesuit Social Services have previously collaborated…
-
High Court decision a violation of human rights
Jesuit Social Services has strongly condemned the High Court’s ruling that more than 200 people seeking asylum, including a number of babies born in Australia, can be sent from the mainland to Nauru. “Australia’s punitive and inhumane policies surrounding people seeking asylum have long been condemned internationally, including at the UN Human Rights Council,” says…