Goal 3.1
First and foremost, I am treated as a child with care and respect.
Outcomes
- 3.1.1 The youth justice system is child and adolescent centred and age appropriate.
What it means for the young person
- My needs as a child are recognised and met with a healing approach.
- I am treated appropriately for my age and developmental needs as a child and young person.
- I am seen for who I am, and for my potential, not for my mistakes (offence or my order). My dreams, desires and strengths are recognised and promoted.
What we will do in 2022-2032
- Continue to participate in the national review of the age of criminal responsibility, including investigating alternatives to custody for children aged 10-13 years.
- Fund and deliver early intervention family service and specialist family practitioners to support Aboriginal children and young people aged 10-13 years to stay in school and at home and actively engaged in their communities.
- Train Youth Justice staff to work effectively with Aboriginal children and young people, including through the practice framework for custodial staff.
- Implement the Keeping Aboriginal children and young people aged 10-13 years out of the youth justice system project.
Goal 3.2
My first contact with the justice system is my last.
Outcomes
- 3.2.1 Fewer Aboriginal children and young people become involved with the youth justice system, including from the child protection system.
- 3.2.2 More Aboriginal children and young people are diverted from the youth justice system.
- 3.2.3 Fewer Aboriginal children and young people are in the community-based youth justice system.
- 3.2.4 Fewer Aboriginal children and young people enter custody.
- 3.2.5 Fewer Aboriginal children and young people return to youth justice supervision.
- 3.2.6 More young people have safe and stable living arrangements.
What it means for the young person
- I am given pathways out at the earliest opportunity and more chances to succeed.
- Services and support are provided during the times of day I am most at risk.
- People notice when I need help, and early. I am given sustained support from trusted workers to find my way back to family and community and repair any harm.
- Every effort is made to avoid custody even for short periods.
What we will do 2022-2032
- Establish Balit Ngulu through the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service to provide culturally appropriate legal services to Aboriginal children and young people.
- Increase pre-charge diversion and cautioning opportunities including by:
- exploring options for cautioning schemes as part of the new Youth Justice Act to divert children away from the youth justice system
- supporting delivery of the government’s new Crime Prevention Strategy to intervene early to help young people avoid offending and prevent contact with police, the courts and youth justice
- making the Victoria Police Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program available in more locations across the state.
- Improve after-hours services, including through:
- providing some after-hours support through the Community based Aboriginal Youth Justice Program
- access to bail to keep Aboriginal children and young people out of remand.
- Increase participation by Aboriginal children and young people in the Children’s Court Youth Diversion Service.
- Increase police referrals to Aboriginal services, such as the Aboriginal Youth Support Service, when Aboriginal children and young people come in contact with the police.
- Support Aboriginal children and young people to transition out of Youth Justice by working through the Through Care program and advocate to the Commonwealth Government for long term funding.
- Work across government and Aboriginal community to develop a strategy to divert Aboriginal children and young people in out-of-home care from entering or progressing in the youth justice system.
Goal 3.3
I am never left to walk alone; I am supported to heal.
Outcomes
- 3.3.1 Aboriginal children and young people’s risks and needs are addressed.
- 3.3.2 Aboriginal children and young people access programs that are evidence based, culturally safe and responsive.
- 3.3.3 More Aboriginal children and young people are provided with supported transition from custody into the community.
What it means for the young person
- The trauma that I have experienced, and the things I do because of it are recognised, understood, and responded to in a culturally connected, holistic, trauma-informed and healing way.
- It is understood that I may have many complex issues and it may take longer for me to make these changes.
- If I am in custody, I am helped to prepare for my return to my family and community as early as possible.
What we will do 2022-2032
- Expand the Community-Based Aboriginal Youth Justice Worker program to keep Aboriginal children and young people out of the youth justice system by working to their strengths.
- Expand the Baroona Redevelopment Project to provide more residential bail support and healing programs for Aboriginal girls and young women.
- Commence case management review panels so that care and supports address the strengths, risks, and needs of Aboriginal children and young people, and issues contributing to their over-representation.
- Improve mental health and alcohol and other drug supports in Youth Justice custody as part of the response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
- Develop an Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing strategy for Aboriginal children and young people involved in Youth Justice. The Strategy will emphasise positive wellbeing as integral to a suicide and self-harm prevention approach.
- Provide Aboriginal-led intensive case management for high risk and complex needs Aboriginal children and young people on bail and community-based orders.
- Seek the views of Aboriginal children and young people on the scope and focus of a strategy to address the specific needs of Aboriginal victims of crime, to complement and build on work conducted as part of Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja (AJA4).
- Develop linkages with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to provide culturally safe support to Aboriginal children and young people who are victims of crime through the Child Witness Service and Intermediary Program.