To achieve our vision, we will focus on five key priorities (domains) over the next ten years. These reflect critical areas in which outcomes need to be achieved for all children and young people. These key priorities (domains) are:
- Empowering Aboriginal children and young people, and families to uphold change.
- Protecting cultural rights and increasing connection to family, community, and culture.
- Diverting young people and addressing over-representation.
- Working towards Aboriginal-led justice responses.
- Creating a fair and equitable system for Aboriginal children and young people.
Empowering Aboriginal children and young people, and families to uphold change
The first domain aims to amplify the voice of Aboriginal children and young people, their families and communities and increase their involvement in decision making at the individual and collective level, to improve individual outcomes as well as shaping the overall youth justice system. This will drive better outcomes at both the individual level as well as shape a system that is more responsive and effective.
Protecting cultural rights and increasing connection to family, community, and culture
The second domain recognises and embeds culture as the foundation for Aboriginal children and young people’s wellbeing. Culture is both protective and a critical element in building successful interventions that allow children to thrive. The best outcomes can be achieved by children being connected with their community and strong in their culture.
Diverting young people and addressing over-representation
The key focus of this domain is preventing Aboriginal children and young people from entering the youth justice system, creating pathways out of it, and stopping their return. It focuses on understanding who Aboriginal children and young people are, their experience of the youth justice system and what they need. The central role that trauma and victimisation plays in driving contact is recognised and healing approaches are emphasised.
Working towards Aboriginal-led justice responses
Aboriginal children and young people do better with Aboriginal-led supports provided by Aboriginal organisations, and ideally in their local communities. The focus of this domain is recognising and strengthening the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation sector role in youth justice service provision as Aboriginal people understand the needs of their local communities. Aboriginal communities have expressed their desire for a greater role in the care and management of their children who are at risk of entering or under youth justice supervision.
Creating a fair and equitable system for Aboriginal children and young people
The fifth domain is Aboriginal children and young people having access to a fair and equitable youth justice system. This involves addressing the legacy of colonisation that has often had unintended consequences for Aboriginal children and young people and their families. Addressing racism and discrimination, unconscious bias and cultural ignorance is critical. Aboriginal families and communities must feel safe and protected when interacting with the youth justice system.