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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…
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Education and employment key to overcoming disadvantage
Jesuit Social Services works with people who are often frustrated at the lack of access to job opportunities. This is most acute for people from disadvantaged backgrounds who often lack employment experience. Research by the Productivity Commission notes that more than 30 per cent of people who are unemployed experience deep social exclusion. In a…
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National Reconciliation Week - it is important for all Australians not to keep our history a mystery
National Reconciliation Week is a reminder that Indigenous Australians have faced challenges to educate an Australian public that prefers not to be reminded of the wrongs Indigenous Australians have suffered or of the need for reconciliation, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. The theme of National Reconciliation Week (May 27 – June 3) this year is ‘Don’t keep…
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Law Week - Time to treat children with a restorative justice and welfare approach
This Law Week, it’s time to talk about the need to raise the age of criminal responsibility to better support young children, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Media Relations Manager KATHRYN KERNOHAN. This week is Law Week (May 14-20), an opportunity for members of the community to learn more about elements of the legal system as…
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New approaches are needed to work with repeat offenders
As the Crime Statistics Agency releases research showing that a small number of repeat offenders are responsible for more than 40 per cent of incidents recorded by Victoria Police, Jesuit Social Services’ Media Relations Manager KATHRYN KERNOHAN writes that new approaches to working with repeat offenders can help people break the cycle of crime. Today,…
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Postvention funding can work to reduce suicide rate
Secure, long-term funding to support people bereaved by suicide will ultimately save lives, writes Jesuit Social Services volunteer FRAN SHEAHAN. Allan thought about taking his own life following the suicide of Don, his partner of 22 years. Jesuit Social Services’ Support After Suicide program supported him through a period of deep grief and, thanks to…
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Palm Sunday - reflection by Andy Hamilton SJ
ANDY HAMILTON SJ writes that nationwide Palm Sunday rallies offer a much needed opportunity to demonstrate the compassion and humanity that is often absent in Australia’s treatment of refugees. In its original setting Palm Sunday was a day of transitory celebration at the beginning of a week that culminated in rejection, torture and death and…
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Harmony Day - reflection by Andy Hamilton SJ
Confidence in our own identity is the key to embracing the differences of others, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ In nature diversity is a good thing. Lack of diversity makes for inbreeding and impoverishment of the gene pool. It makes crops more liable to catastrophic disease with consequences for all those who rely on them for…
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International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - Reflection by Andy Hamilton SJ
Looking inside ourselves to uncover the sources of our prejudices is the key to welcoming difference as a gift, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ We have seen the evil of racism in historical and current events. The Nazi persecution of Jews and attempt to eradicate them are among the greatest evils of last century. The…
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A brighter future for women in the justice system equals a brighter future for us all
On International Women’s Day, our focus should be investing in addressing the factors that lead to the involvement of women in the justice system, writes Jesuit Social Services volunteer FRAN SHEAHAN. Women prisoners, like all of us, belong to a complex system where relationships are critical to wellbeing. The interdependence at the heart of relationship…