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Keeping young people engaged with school means better outcomes for the whole community
More than half of the young people involved in Victoria’s youth justice system have been suspended or expelled from school. The Navigator program helps keep vulnerable young people connected with education – and more children should have access to it, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Media Relations Manager KATHRYN KERNOHAN. The links between disengagement from education…
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Victorian election is a time to commit to solutions to fix our broken youth justice system
The next Victorian Government must commit to solutions to fix our broken youth justice system – including a rollback of regressive sentencing practices, raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years and investing in diversion programs, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Policy and Advocacy volunteer AARON BATCHELOR. Youth justice is at a crossroads…
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The National Apology for child abuse - Let’s support all victims
This week’s national apology to victims of child sexual abuse is an important acknowledgement of past failure to protect our children and young people. But it is vital that all people have the right to access compensation, support to rehabilitate, and an opportunity to heal, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer JEMIMA…
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New reports show the failings of the Victorian youth detention system
New reports by the Victorian Auditor-General’s office and Victorian Commissioner for Children and Young People highlight the significant strain the state’s youth detention system is under – and the harmful impact this has on the rehabilitation prospects of young people. It’s time for evidence-based solutions, writes Jesuit Social Services’ KATHRYN KERNOHAN. The failings of the…
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New report reveals impact of isolation in prison
A new report by Jesuit Social Services reveals the physical and mental impact that isolation can have on young adults in the Victorian prison system. Change is needed to improve their chances of rehabilitation and reintegration in the community, writes Jesuit Social Services Communications volunteer LIAM FALLON. Like many others, James was transferred from a youth…
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Isolation of young people in prison leads to irreversible damage
Victoria’s adult prison population grew by 71 per cent over the 10 years to 2017 – an extra 3,006 people. This is largely attributable to changes to bail laws: the adult remand population soared more than 150 per cent over the same period, and 38 per cent of young adults in prison are on remand.…
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World Migrant and Refugee Sunday (August 26) invites us to extend our compassion beyond our own suburb, city and nation, and reminds us that the plight of refugees and immigrants is worldwide, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. World Migrant and Refugee Sunday is celebrated by Catholics around the world. It invites us to extend our compassion beyond…
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Shift in illicit drug rhetoric and policy should not be considered soft
An expansion of the successful Drug Court and trial of a Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Victoria are are examples of a health-based response that reflects a compassionate, evidence-based policy agenda, writes Jesuit Social Services’ policy volunteer MITCHELL GLASS. Collectively, there is a growing recognition that the current ‘war on drugs’ approach is not an effective…
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NAIDOC Week - time to celebrate the strong women who have spoken truth to power in Australia
The theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week – Because of her, we can – is timely for all Australians and gives us an opportunity to celebrate the strong women who have spoken truth to power in Australia, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. The origins of NAIDOC Week came out of a Day of Mourning for the destruction…
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Francis' ordeal reveals failings of NDIS and the prison system
The story of a young man named Francis reveals significant failings of both the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the criminal justice system – and his plight must lead to better outcomes for people like him in the future, writes Jesuit Social Services Media Relations Manager KATHRYN KERNOHAN. In November 2017, a young man…