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Government must ensure safety for all those on Nauru and Manus Island
Jesuit Social Services today welcomed the news that an end was in sight to the inhumane offshore detention regime that has traumatised many innocent people in Australia’s name. The organisation commended those in the community who fought so hard to bring about change, and said those same people must continue to monitor developments to ensure…
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Close offshore processing and Bring Them Here
Jesuit Social Services has called for refugees and people seeking asylum currently on Nauru to be brought to Australia, joining the Australian Catholic Bishops Council, Amnesty International and many other people of goodwill in a growing chorus of support for such a move. Further, Jesuit Social Services has pledged its support as part of a…
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Archbishop Hart has shown true leadership
Archbishop Denis Hart has shown true leadership in calling on the Australian Government to bring the men, women and children on Manus Island and Nauru to Australia, says Jesuit Social Services. “Many people in the Catholic Church have denounced the country’s offshore detention regime and punitive policies towards people seeking asylum, and Archbishop Hart has…
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Rising suicide rates show prevention remains a crucial part of mental health service mix
New data published this week showing suicide in Australia has reached a decade-high rate is an important reminder that suicide prevention is one of the most crucial elements of our response to mental health, says Jesuit Social Services. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ annual Causes of Death report reveals that the suicide rate in 2015…
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Jesuit Social Services joins calls to #BringThemHere
Jesuit Social Services has joined the calls to immediately bring people seeking on Nauru to Australia in light of the leaked ‘Nauru files’ which allege countless cases of abuse, sexual assault and self-harm of people in Australia’s care. “Jesuit Social Services believes that the mandatory and indefinite detention of people seeking asylum in Australia, and…
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The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) has today called on the Federal government to establish a Royal Commission following allegations of countless cases of abuse, sexual assault and self-harm of people seeking asylum on Nauru. The leaked ‘Nauru Files’ by the Guardian Australia, details more than 2,000 incidents involving people placed on Nauru…
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Lack of secure housing for people with disabilities the key factor behind re-offending
With the treatment of prisoners a key issue across the country following revelations from within the Northern Territory’s youth detention system, a group of people with acquired brain injuries (ABIs) and contact with the criminal justice system have cited a lack of housing and support for people with disability as the number one factor behind…
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Royal Commission into the child protection and youth detention systems of the Northern Territory
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of the Royal Commission into the child protection and youth detention systems of the Northern Territory, following the ABC’s Four Corners investigation into the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre and its treatment of vulnerable young people. “We have long advocated for better treatment for young people in…
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Australia’s leaders must develop more humane responses to people seeking protection
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) has today issued an open letter to Australia’s political leaders urging them to develop more humane responses towards people seeking protection in Australia. The letter, sent to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Richard…
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Mental health services need long-term funding certainty
Recent Federal changes to mental health funding have created a rushed transition to a new model and insecure, short-term funding solutions, says Jesuit Social Services. The organisation’s Support After Suicide program has worked with people bereaved by the suicide of a loved one since 2004. It serves as a bereavement support and a suicide prevention…