Youth detention reform will help young people get their lives back on track

The 2025-26 Federal Budget represents a missed opportunity for the Federal Government to show national leadership on youth justice at a time when many states and territories are shunning the evidence of what works in preventing crime.

The Victorian Government’s 2025-26 State Budget must prioritise the funding, or re-funding, of critical services that support marginalised people and communities to flourish.

The Victorian Government’s bail reforms, which will be introduced into Parliament next week, focus on the wrong end of the system when more investment is needed in preventing crime from occurring.

Jesuit Social Services has called on the Federal Government to appoint a Minister for Children and invest in evidence-backed intervention to reduce family violence, child sexual abuse, and address failing youth justice systems.

The latest release from the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency shows the number of young people committing offences has dropped over the past year, but that the number of crimes each young person is committing has increased.

Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, Jesuit Social Services’ Support After Suicide program remembers and honours the lives lost to suicide and acknowledges the immense grief and incredible strength of their loved ones left behind. 

The Victorian Government’s decision to abandon plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 is deeply disappointing and at odds with international evidence and the recommendations of experts dedicated to improving outcomes for communities, reducing crime and supporting children to get their lives on track.