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Launch of Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA)
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) has been officially launched at the start of World Refugee Week, which runs from June 14 to 20. Backed by leading Catholic peak organisations and convened by Jesuit Social Services, CAPSA aims to change hearts and minds across Australia in support of the abolition of harsh asylum…
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Slowing of growth in prisoner numbers welcome but more reform needed
The number of people in Victorian prisons increased by only 20 in the first quarter of 2015 after unprecedented growth in recent years, but Jesuit Social Services has warned that the current imprisonment rate is still unsustainable and systemic reform is needed. The state’s prison population has been increasing rapidly: increasing by 12 per cent…
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Rural Victoria missing out on benefits of youth diversion
Jesuit Social Services recently received funding to operate a pilot program, in partnership with YSAS (Youth Support and Advocacy Service), aimed at diverting young offenders from the criminal justice system, which will be implemented in three different locations. Jesuit Social Services is excited about this initiative and is calling on the state government to ensure…
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Youth diversion helps young people avoid lifetime involvement with the justice system
Jesuit Social Services has welcomed the Victorian Government’s $5.6 million budget investment to expand the current Youth Diversion Pilot Program which steers vulnerable young people away from future involvement in the justice system and works to reduce reoffending. “Youth diversion programs are crucial in allowing young people to address the causes behind their offending while…
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A ten-fold over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth on community orders and in youth detention means these children are at risk of becoming a new Stolen Generation unless significant action is taken, says Jesuit Social Services. In the lead up to National Sorry Day, the organisation has analysed data from the Australian Institute…
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Suicide risk cannot be dealt with in isolation
New research showing the suicide toll exceeded the road toll in 28 electorates across the country is crucial in urging our country’s leaders to commit to a national suicide prevention program. But in many areas of Australia, the suicide risk cannot be dealt with in isolation from a complex web of persistent disadvantage, according to…
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Positive signs as Victorian imprisonment rates stabilise
New data released today showing Victoria’s rates of imprisonment have stabilised is a sign that the pressure on the state’s criminal justice system is beginning to ease, says Jesuit Social Services. Quarterly Corrective Services statistics published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Victoria’s rate of imprisonment in the March quarter 2016 was 137…
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Rising suicide rates show prevention remains a crucial part of mental health service mix
New data published this week showing suicide in Australia has reached a decade-high rate is an important reminder that suicide prevention is one of the most crucial elements of our response to mental health, says Jesuit Social Services. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ annual Causes of Death report reveals that the suicide rate in 2015…
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Close offshore processing and Bring Them Here
Jesuit Social Services has called for refugees and people seeking asylum currently on Nauru to be brought to Australia, joining the Australian Catholic Bishops Council, Amnesty International and many other people of goodwill in a growing chorus of support for such a move. Further, Jesuit Social Services has pledged its support as part of a…
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Isolation of young people undermines community safety
The use of isolation in Victoria’s youth justice facilities is counter-productive and risks entrenching rather than correcting poor behaviour, says Jesuit Social Services, following a new report by the Commissioner for Children and Young People. The report into isolation, separation and lockdown practices tabled in Parliament today found that isolation was imposed at least nine…