Jesuit Social Services has called on the Albanese Government to appoint a minister for children and invest in evidence-backed intervention to reduce family violence, child sexual abuse, and address failing youth justice systems.
“At the heart of some of the most pressing issues facing Australia – including crime, family violence and mental ill-health – is childhood trauma,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards.
“After nearly 50 years supporting some of the most disadvantaged and marginalised individuals and communities around Australia, we have learnt that intervening early in a person’s life can break cycles of disadvantage and prevent future harm.”
Jesuit Social Services has provided the federal Government with 15 recommendations ahead of its next budget, to ensure children are protected from harm and offered the opportunities they need to live safe and supported lives.
“We call on the federal Government to invest in children, as an investment in the future of all Australians,” Ms Edwards said.
“The more children we can support to live free from trauma caused by abuse, family violence, justice system involvement, place-based disadvantage and climate impacts, the better our nation will be as they grow up.
“Our recommendations focus on children and young people, highlighting opportunities for targeted spending based in early intervention, and drawing on the Government’s own ‘Measuring What Matters’ framework.
Ms Edwards said it was time for the Government to provide leadership in setting the standards on justice systems.
“Change is urgently needed in how we approach youth justice. We all want to see less crime and fewer victims, but locking kids up is not the answer,” she said.
“Research evidence, and our experience through decades of working with kids in contact with the justice system, demonstrates that restorative practices and early intervention work to reduce reoffending and increase community safety.
“It is very clear that incarceration does not achieve the same.”
FULL STORY
Federal Budget must protect nation‘s children, says Jesuit Social Services (Jesuit Social Services)
