Children and young people continue to be harmed by contact with the criminal legal system, with evidence showing that criminalisation, detention and punitive responses can worsen outcomes and increase the likelihood of future system involvement.
South-East Monash Legal Service joined a coalition of community, legal and Aboriginal organisations in calling for a youth justice system centred on diversion, rehabilitation and wellbeing, including raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14, strengthening access to bail and support programs, prohibiting harmful detention practices, and investing in community-led responses that help children thrive.
