Media releases Archives - Page 8 of 30

Watch House Files highlight urgent need for National Youth Justice Strategy
- 13 May 2019
Jesuit Social Services has called for national leadership to reform youth justice systems across Australia in light of last night’s Four Corners episode aired on ABC TV. The implementation of a National Youth Justice Strategy and immediately raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years, as highlighted in Jesuit Social Services’ Federal Election platform,…
Increased use of youth detention highlights need for new solutions
- 10 May 2019
A shocking increase in the number of young people in youth detention in Victoria is at odds with the number of young people committing offences – and highlights that new solutions are required so that detention is only ever used as a last resort, says Jesuit Social Services. The report released today by the Australian…
AIHW youth justice data highlights urgent need to raise the age of criminal responsibility
- 10 May 2019
A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) which reveals the stark over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the youth justice system must be the catalyst for urgent reform, including raising the age of criminal responsibility, says Jesuit Social Services. “It is positive to note that the number…
NT’s investment into alternatives to detention will benefit entire community
- 2 May 2019
The Northern Territory Government’s 2019-20 Budget investments into alternatives to detention, as well as services and programs to keep children and young people on track, will ultimately benefit the entire community, according to Jesuit Social Services. “We welcome the Northern Territory Government’s funding commitments to new and re-purposed facilities to support youth diversion programs and…
It’s time to close Youth Courts
- 29 March 2019
It is imperative that Children’s Courts are closed courts. Young people presenting before the Children’s Courts are some of the most vulnerable children in our community – many have been exposed to trauma, have experienced long term disadvantage and experience the ongoing stigmatization related to involvement in the Youth Justice system that impacts them later…
Learnings from New Zealand can inform Australian justice systems
- 28 March 2019
Senior leaders from Jesuit Social Services will next week embark on a study trip to New Zealand to learn more about innovative approaches to dealing with adults and young people who have contact with the criminal justice system. The organisation’s findings and observations will be shared with policy makers and the wider community on their…
Hotel segregation demonstrates urgent need for reform of anti-discrimination laws
- 14 March 2019
The recent reporting of racial segregation at an Alice Springs hotel highlights the urgent need for the Northern Territory Government to address gaps in the Territory’s anti-discrimination laws, says Jesuit Social Services. As reported by ABC, Aboriginal guests staying at Ibis Styles Alice Springs Oasis were accommodated in inferior rooms while being charged the same…
Parkville tensions demonstrate the need for skilled and experienced youth justice staff
- 21 February 2019
Victoria’s youth justice system must prioritise keeping children out of detention and intervening early to reconnect young people with school and employment to avoid the sort of incident that occurred at Parkville overnight, says Jesuit Social Services. “An effective youth justice system is one that supports children in the community, only uses detention as a…
New offences for intimidation ignore underlying factors
- 5 February 2019
Proposed new legislation that will result in sentences of up to 10 years in jail for intimidation of a police officer, protective services officer, custodial officer or youth custodial officer fails to address the underlying factors behind tensions in the justice system, says Jesuit Social Services. The Victorian Government yesterday introduced the Justice Legislation (Police…
NSW must look at best practice to address juvenile justice tensions
- 23 January 2019
The NSW Government is experiencing challenges with its youth justice system, The Daily Telegraph has reported. “New South Wales is not the only state that has recently dealt with issues, sometimes violent, in its juvenile justice system,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards. “These issues lead to poorer outcomes for everybody – they jeopardise the prospects of…