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Give people a home, and you give them a second chance to get their lives on track
Unstable housing is the most significant factor affecting the likelihood of somebody returning to prison. If we want to reduce re-offending and create a safer society, we must ensure people leaving prison have access to safe and secure housing, writes Jesuit Social Services’ Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer JEMIMA HOFFMAN. The recidivism rate in Victoria…
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Today (February 20) is World Day of Social Justice and, as Andy Hamilton SJ writes, social justice must be built on interpersonal justice and extend to environmental justice. Image: International Labour Organization Many people see Social Justice Days as a time of division. They believe that it divides oppressors from victims and people who are…
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Submission to the 2019/20 Victorian State Budget
The re-elected Andrews Government is to be commended on a number of election commitments, including the announcement of $200 million for 1,000 new housing properties, free dental care for children and young people at public schools, 15 hours a week of kindergarten for three year olds, and a Mental Health Royal Commission. Jesuit Social Services…
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Elected Federal Government must commit to National Centre for place-based approaches
With a small number of communities across Australia dealing with complex and entrenched disadvantage, Jesuit Social Services says the elected Federal Government must commit to a National Centre for place-based approaches to ensure all communities have a chance to flourish. “We have undertaken research into locational disadvantage for close to 20 years, including major Dropping…
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Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into ‘The Social and Economic Benefits of Improving Mental Health’. Given the need for systemic and culture change in mental health, Jesuit Social Services is heartened by the Inquiry’s focus on how reforms outside of healthcare – such as in workplaces,…
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Male mental health crisis highlights the need for secure postvention funding
A new Beyond Blue report showing that there were more than 30,000 ambulance attendances for men who had thoughts of suicide, or had attempted suicide, over a 12 month period highlights that the Federal Government must commit to secure, long-term funding commitments for a comprehensive suite of suicide prevention services including postvention services, says Jesuit…
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Decriminalisation of public drunkenness will save lives
The Victorian Government’s commitment to decriminalise public drunkenness and develop and adopt an alternative, health-based response will save lives and give vulnerable people pathways to lead healthy and fulfilling lives, says Jesuit Social Services. “We are extremely pleased to see the Victorian Government recognise that public drunkenness laws like those which have been in place…
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Statement regarding Victorian lockdowns and restrictions
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on every Australian, directly or indirectly, including in Victoria where a second period of lockdowns and restrictions is in effect. This includes the Victorian Government currently restricting the movements of people living in 12 postcodes across Melbourne, and locking down nine sites across three public housing estates. We…
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COVID-19 prison risk requires immediate action by Victorian Government
The Victorian Government must act swiftly to release low-level prisoners and other vulnerable groups from the state’s prison system, following the news that six Victorian prisons are in lockdown after a staff member tested positive to COVID-19, says Jesuit Social Services. “We have been deeply concerned about a potential COVID-19 outbreak in a prison setting,…
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New place-based centre for research and action will support marginalised communities to flourish
Putting local communities at the heart of decision making, and empowering communities to give them the resources they need to reach their potential, will be key focus areas of Jesuit Social Services’ place-based centre for research and action, which will launch in early 2021. “The place-based centre for research and action will be a new…