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Would you like the chance to gain deeper insight, empathy and understanding into another person’s journey by listening to their story?At Jesuit Social Services, we have the privilege of walking beside many people, through the ordinary and sometimes extraordinary stages of their lives.You can now hear their stories in person through our Just Voices Speakers…
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Budget investment in community services welcome but more needed for crime prevention
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the Victorian State Government’s 2019/20 budget and its significant investments into vital infrastructure projects, schools and hospitals. “The State Government has delivered on many of its election commitments including free dental care for Victorian students and the construction of 1,000 new social housing properties. These investments were welcomed by the community…
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Time for states to show true leadership and #RaiseTheAge
The Federal Government’s decision to refer decision making about raising the age of criminal responsibility back to states and territories – after years of debate – will condemn more vulnerable children to unnecessary contact with the criminal justice system, says Jesuit Social Services. “We are deeply disappointed that, despite a wealth of evidence from Australia…
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Homelessness Week 2022 – stable housing helps people get their lives back on track
Around one third of people exiting prison do so into homelessness. The need for stable housing is critical in helping people to turn their lives around, become productive members of society and ultimately reach their potential.
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Young people are worth a second chance.
The age of criminal responsibility has been much debated recently. Victoria has committed to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 this year, and to 14 in 2027. The Northern Territory has raised it to 12, and the ACT is in the process of doing so. Other states are planning, considering, or…
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An escalating problem: Responding to the increased remand of children in Victoria
Our paper describes the dramatic increase in the number of children held on remand in Victoria, including a significant increase in children under 15. It finds that the increase is directly driven by reforms to the Bail Act in December 2013 that impose the same conditions and restrictions on children as are applied to adults.…
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Prison is no place for primary school aged children
Queensland leads the country in locking up 10- and 11-year old children, but the incarceration of primary school aged children is a national shame that must cease immediately by raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12, says Jesuit Social Services. “A new report by Amnesty International Australia has highlighted a number of serious concerns…
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Navigator supports disengaged students aged 12-17 to re-engage with an education or training pathway. Signs of disengagement may include a pattern of absenteeism, school refusal, truancy or withdrawing from school. Navigator works intensively with young people, families, schools and support networks to address underlying issues in disengagement, help learners overcome barriers, and expand their opportunities…
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Budget’s emphasis on health and wellbeing will support many Victorians
he Victorian Budget 2022/23, handed down today, contains a range of investments to help the health and wellbeing of Victorians including vulnerable people. Building on last year’s significant spending, this year’s focus areas include mental health and housing.
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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…