A new report on evidence-based initiatives to prevent and respond to crime by children is set to bolster the 2024 landmark report on child justice reform from Australia's National Children's Commissioner.
Evidence-based approaches to child justice contains case studies from Australia, Scotland, USA, Netherlands and Spain, and is a supplement to 'Help Way Earlier!' How Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing which was tabled in the Australian Parliament in August 2024.
The Help Way Earlier! report investigates opportunities for reform of child justice and related systems across Australia and recommends a national approach to child justice reform based on evidence and the protection of human rights. The content of the report was highlighted in the recent Senate Inquiry into Australia's Youth Justice and Incarceration System.
The new supplementary report contains 6 case studies that are examples of alternative approaches to reforming child justice systems that can assist governments across Australia.
The case studies show how primary prevention, early intervention and integrated services can transform outcomes for children. Therapeutic community-based approaches that emphasise family and cultural connections are also highlighted. In addition, the examples show that sustained and collective commitment to reform across the health, education, welfare and justice sectors is crucial to success.
National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds: 'It's hard to understand why in Australia we're still pursuing approaches that aren't based on evidence.
'Harsh punishment of children with disabilities and unmet needs just leads to more vulnerable kids being locked up for longer, and it doesn't make communities safer anywhere in the world. Our new supplementary report seeks to highlight what actually works, by providing examples of approaches from Australia and overseas that are based on evidence.
'Crime by children is a symptom of their unmet needs and underlying issues that we are currently failing to address. Protecting their rights, safety and wellbeing doesn't get in the way of community safety as is sometimes claimed - it's actually the most effective way of preventing crime in the long run.
'In Australia, our lack of success responding to youth crime is not because of a lack of knowledge. Our problems are due to a lack of government accountability for evidenced-based action.
'Our report coincides with the announcement of a new Senate Inquiry into Australia's youth justice and incarceration system to determine if children's rights are being breached and if Australia is meeting its obligations under international law. I look forward to our new report informing the work of the Senate Inquiry and providing evidence of effective alternative approaches to the incarceration of children.'
'As I wrap up my term as National Children's Commissioner with this final report, it's my hope that 'Help Way Earlier!', and the case studies in our supplementary report, will generate action to make child safety and wellbeing a national reform priority across the federation.
The new report is available on the Commission's website: Read it here
