Media releases Archives - Page 5 of 29

ACT shows the country it is time to #RaiseTheAge
- 20 August 2020
The Australian Capital Territory has paved the way for other states and territories to provide ageappropriate responses to children in trouble, following its Legislative Assembly voting to raise the age of legal responsibility from 10 to 14 years. It is the first Australian state or territory to commit to changing its laws to ensure primary…
Harsher bail laws are counter-productive
- 17 August 2020
The Northern Territory Opposition’s plan to reintroduce the offence of breach of bail for young people and legislate a presumption against bail will ultimately harm, not help, vulnerable young people, says Jesuit Social Services. “We are extremely concerned about the Northern Territory Opposition’s proposals. This regressive policy will only see more vulnerable children and young…
Youth justice system must protect vulnerable young people from COVID-19
- 6 August 2020
Victoria’s youth justice system must prioritise the health and safety of vulnerable young people by safely exiting some young people into the community, following a worrying increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases connected with the system, says Jesuit Social Services. It has been reported that 11 young people at the Parkville youth detention facility have tested…
Governments ignore pleas to stop locking up 10-year-old children
- 28 July 2020
Australia’s Governments had an opportunity this week to do the right thing and stop locking up 10year-old children. They chose to ignore that opportunity. Instead, our states and territories will continue to incarcerate primary school aged children against the advice of medical and child developmental experts, as well as the United Nations, after the Council…
COVID-19 prison risk requires immediate action by Victorian Government
- 22 July 2020
The Victorian Government must act swiftly to release low-level prisoners and other vulnerable groups from the state’s prison system, following the news that six Victorian prisons are in lockdown after a staff member tested positive to COVID-19, says Jesuit Social Services. “We have been deeply concerned about a potential COVID-19 outbreak in a prison setting,…
Youth justice reforms would improve outcomes for children who have experienced trauma
- 2 June 2020
A new report by the Sentencing Advisory Council explores the impact of trauma in childhood offending and canvasses possible reforms that would lead to better outcomes for children, their families and the broader community, says Jesuit Social Services. It also adds to the evidence that supports raising of the age of legal responsibility from 10…
Youth Justice Strategy an important step towards a system that works for all
- 21 May 2020
The Victorian Government’s Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020-2030, launched today, is an important step towards a strong, effective and humane youth justice system that gives vulnerable children and young people the best opportunity to get their lives back on track, says Jesuit Social Services. The strategy sets out the underpinning philosophies of Victoria’s youth justice…
Funding boost to legal assistance services will support vulnerable Victorians
- 11 May 2020
The Victorian Government’s $17.5 million funding boost to frontline legal assistance services including Victoria Legal Aid, Community Legal Centres and Aboriginal legal services will ensure that vulnerable Victorians will have access to vital services during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Jesuit Social Services. “We welcome the Victorian Government’s announcement of additional funding to frontline legal assistant…
New report highlights urgent need to raise the age of legal responsibility
- 2 April 2020
A new report released by the Sentencing Advisory Council today reveals the unique vulnerabilities of children aged 10 to 13 years who have contact with the child protection and youth justice systems – and adds to the volume of evidence highlighting the need to raise the age of legal responsibility, says Jesuit Social Services. “The…
Spent conviction scheme will help people get their lives back on track
- 27 February 2020

Media releases

Donate to our Summer Appeal