The National Children’s Commissioner is conducting a project that investigates opportunities for reform of youth justice and related systems across Australia, based on evidence and the protection of human rights. The project will explore ways to reduce children’s involvement in crime, including through prevention and early intervention.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
Learn how under human rights law, all Australians have the right to humane treatment while in detention and that adults and children must be separated.
