The Victorian Government’s reversal of its commitment to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2027 is a deeply troubling culmination of harmful rhetoric and disregard for evidence, says Catholic Social Services Victoria.
In a statement released on Friday, CSSV said the Government’s initial commitment to raise the age to 14 in its proposed Youth Justice Bill 2024 “would have been in line with national and international recommendations from human rights, medical, legal and First Nations expert groups”.
“The reversal of the commitment works to undermine the protective capacity of the Youth Justice Bill, knowing that when children interact with the criminal justice system, it triples the chances that they will reoffend and does not foster accountability for behaviour,” the statement said.
“Instead of helping kids to get their lives back on track, detention is setting them up for a lifetime of social and economic exclusion – and this hurts all of us.”
CSSV executive director Joshu Lourensz said the decision will see “more kids reoffending more often”.
“This decision will not make the community safer, and it impedes enactment of an evidence-based plan to address the complex needs and experiences of disadvantage, trauma and injustice facing many children who encounter the criminal justice system.
“ The ACT and Tasmania are making positive changes, understanding that incarceration of children under the age of 14 does not yield the desired result of safe and thriving families and communities. Victoria can and must do better than this.”
CSSV, alongside its member organisations and other youth justice experts, called on the Allan Government to “realign the Youth Justice Bill with the evidence and choose to support kids, and communities, to thrive”.
“While we remain resolute in advocating for the age of criminal responsibility in Victoria to be raised to 14, the Government has a responsibility to intensify efforts to reduce the criminalisation of children and provide alternative pathways, regardless of the age of criminal responsibility that is passed in the Youth Justice Bill.”
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Youth justice backflip won’t protect kids or communities (CSSV)
