Children in the criminal justice system, some as young as 10yo is one of the most urgent human rights issues in Australia.
Young people from the NPY lands spoke to the National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds about issues with the child justice system in 2023. Her report “Help way earlier” has just been released.
“Tragically, by not addressing their human rights early on, and instead taking a punitive approach to their offending, we are essentially criminalising some of the most vulnerable children in Australia.”
Anne Hollonds, National Children’s Commissioner
The report acknowledges the link between social disadvantage as a root cause of offending behavior. Despite this evidence, Australian policy remains heavily punitive, emphasising policing, stricter bail laws, and incarceration. These approaches often increase the trauma and inequality that lead children into the justice system in the first place.
” I spoke up because I want to stop the violence that kids in jail are going through.”
NPY Women’s Council Youth representative
Our young people put forward to the Commissioner ideas that prevent young people getting into trouble including:
– more meaningful engagement in the world through sport, education and work
– deep connection with family and friends
– programs to support work opportunities
– connecting with culture
NPY Women’s Council supports the recommendations of the “Help way earlier” report and calls for urgent reform. A punitive approach does not reduce crime, children jailed before the age of 14 have been found to be 3 times more likely to reoffend. Vulnerable children need support not jail.
