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Juvenile justice

Children's commissioners call for action to protect the rights of children in custody

Australian Children’s Commissioners and Guardians are calling on governments to ensure youth justice detention is focused on rehabilitation, and the rights of children are protected.

Children's Commissioners unite to protect children in custody

Australian Children’s Commissioners and Guardians are calling on governments to ensure youth justice detention is focused on rehabilitation, and the rights of children are protected when they’re in custody.

Governments must end abuse of young people in detention

The Australian Human Rights Commission today expressed continuing and deep concern about the abuse of young people in detention.

“The focus on punitive measures is failing young people. A much better approach is to focus on effective early intervention, prevention and diversion programs,” said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar.

The National Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, said Australia has around 900 children and young people in youth justice detention at any one time.

Governments must end youth detention abuse

The Australian Human Rights Commission today expressed continuing and deep concern about the abuse of young people in detention.

“The focus on punitive measures is failing young people. A much better approach is to focus on effective early intervention, prevention and diversion programs,” said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar.

The National Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, said Australia has around 900 children and young people in youth justice detention at any one time.

Why is this happening in 21st century Australia? – Children’s Rights Report 2016

Australia should ratify and implement the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) as soon as possible to ensure better oversight of youth justice detention, according to National Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell.

The key findings of an investigation into the oversight of youth justice detention in Australia are included in Commissioner Mitchell’s Children’s Rights Report 2016, tabled today in Federal Parliament.

Intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour in children

National Children's Commissioner examines intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour in children

In 2014 the National Children’s Commissioner examined how children and young people under 18 years can be better protected from intentional self-harm, with or without suicidal intent.

Vulnerable children at the boundary of the criminal justice system

Keynote address at the Jesuit Social Services National Justice Symposium

Pushing the boundaries: rethinking the limits of children’s involvement in the criminal justice system.

 

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

 

1. Acknowledgments

Thank you, Father Frank Brenan, for your kind introduction. I also thank the Jesuit Social Services for the invitation to speak here this afternoon, at the opening of this important symposium on vulnerable children and the criminal justice system.

2011 Media Release: Over representation of young Indigenous people in the criminal justice system needs to be urgently addressed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda has welcomed the release of a report which highlights over-representation of young Indigenous people in the criminal justice system as one of the most neglected but urgent issues to be addressed in efforts to overcome Indigenous disadvantage.