Dear Premier,
We, the undersigned community organisations, write to express our deep concern and strong opposition to the Victorian Government’s proposed youth justice changes, which would allow children as young as 14 to be sentenced in adult courts and face life imprisonment.
Youthlaw is proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people, Traditional Owners of the lands where we do our work in Naarm (Melbourne) and Ballaarat (Ballarat). We pay deep respect to Aboriginal Elders past and present, and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
Media Release: Knee-jerk ‘Adult time for violent crime’ laws are a costly mistake that will make our communities less safe
As a coalition of lawyers, social workers, youth workers, financial counsellors and experts, Smart Justice for Young People strongly opposes the Victorian Government’s youth justice announcements today that will worsen the lives of children already being failed by existing system responses.
Youthlaw has condemned the Victorian Government’s proposed overhaul of the youth justice system, describing it as rushed, punitive, and dangerously out of step with evidence-based approaches to reducing youth crime.
Under the proposed changes, children aged 14 to 17 who commit certain serious offences could be sentenced as adults.
