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Returning to learning: re-engaging disadvantaged learners in education and training
Every year 10,000 Victorian students disengage from the education system. We know that people who drop out of school often experience multiple and complex disadvantage with an increased risk of involvement in the justice system, involvement with child protection, poor health, being unemployed, being homeless and having mental health issues. Re-engaging vulnerable learners in education…
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Family violence needs whole community response
Over the last few years Australians have become much more aware of the extent of family violence and of its effects on victims and perpetrators. The tragic death of Luke Batty and the advocacy of Rosie Batty, his mother, were catalysts for this change. But the statistics continue to horrify. Seventy-nine women were killed by…
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For children’s sake: Raise the age of criminal responsibility
Imagine going back to your 10-year-old self. You’re standing outside a cinema, watching people stream in to see a new film that you’re dying to watch. You wish you had a few dollars to buy a ticket but you spent the little pocket money you receive on a few lollies at school this week. Perhaps it…
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Not just offshore processing that is inhumane
In the past six months we have had a change in Prime Minister, but unfortunately the country’s punitive and inhumane policies surrounding people seeking asylum remain. The current system of offshore processing exposes vulnerable men, women and children to indefinite waiting times, violence and sexual assault and does not respect their fundamental right to human…
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How to Close the Gap: put Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the driver’s seat
Since the introduction of the Closing the Gap reports 10 years ago, we are only on track with one target out of seven – educational attainment. Each year Close the Gap Day raises awareness about the gap in life expectancy and health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the rest of the…
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In brief: Submission to Victoria's Gender Equality Strategy 2022
Jesuit Social Services was pleased to contribute a submission to the Victorian Government’s Gender Equality Strategy 2022. We support the proposed strategy, and additionally recommend it engages with men and boys to role model positive masculinity, in order to advance gender equality. Context In October 2021 Jesuit Social Services contributed a submission to the Victorian…
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Net zero has transformative potential for disadvantaged Victorians
Over the next year, the Victorian Government will deliberate on its 2035 target for emissions reduction to mitigate climate change, and ideas to achieve it. Jesuit Social Services recently made a submission to the independent panel tasked with making recommendations to the Government. In it, we argued for a target of net zero greenhouse gas…