Did you know that across Australia, children as young as 10 are arrested, charged, brought before a court, sentenced and locked up behind bars?
Campaigns and Advocacy
Despite ongoing and overwhelming evidence from experts across different sectors and fields of expertise including medical professionals, legal practitioners, social workers, human rights organisations and First Nations communities, Australian Governments continue to lock up children as young as 10 – and are overlooking effective and evidence based community solutions that support children to be healthy, strong, connected, happy and safe.
Locking children up means they are not able to access what they need to be the best kids they can be. They become disconnected from family, community, culture and community services/supports.
In order to create improved outcomes and opportunities for our children, we need to raise the age of criminal responsibility and invest in communities. Investment in communities will ensure First Nations led solutions are well resourced and equipped to meet the needs of these children.
Community-led solutions such as Deadly Connections and their services/programs are the key to disrupting trauma and disadvantage, which are key drivers that contribute to justice involvement of our First Nations children.