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Link between residential care and youth justice highlights systemic failures
A new report by the Sentencing Advisory Council, which shows that one in five of children sentenced to a custodial order across 2016 and 2017 had experienced residential care, highlights that many of Victoria’s most vulnerable children have been failed by the very systems meant to protect them, says Jesuit Social Services. “The sad trajectory…
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Male mental health crisis highlights the need for secure postvention funding
A new Beyond Blue report showing that there were more than 30,000 ambulance attendances for men who had thoughts of suicide, or had attempted suicide, over a 12 month period highlights that the Federal Government must commit to secure, long-term funding commitments for a comprehensive suite of suicide prevention services including postvention services, says Jesuit…
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Incoming Federal Government must commit to secure, long-term postvention funding
With the latest data showing suicide is on the rise in Australia, it is vital that postvention services like Support After Suicide have access to secure, long-term funding to help people navigate grief and trauma, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Media Relations Manager KATHRYN KERNOHAN. When Greg’s daughter Cassie took her life in 2012, aged 16,…
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NT investment into domestic violence prevention can lead to generational change
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the Northern Territory Government’s $22 million investment into implementing the first of three Action Plans to prevent domestic violence, help change behaviours and support victims. “This is a significant investment that can lead to generational change by supporting prevention and early intervention. This funding will educate the community about domestic violence…
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New initiative to increase the number of African-Australians in Victoria Police
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the Victorian Government’s Jobs Victoria support for a new initiative to increase the number of African Australians in Victoria Police. The Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment Program will actively promote the large number of job and career opportunities in Victoria Police to African Australian communities. It will provide guidance, support and training…
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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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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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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…
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A joint Catholic statement about bridging visas
In 2016 a small number of people seeking asylum were evacuated from Nauru and sent to Australia in need of medical care and support. Many of these people were experiencing complex health needs in addition to the trauma and persecution they had faced on their journeys to Australia. The Federal Government is now seeking to…