Trauma and lack of support are a common background for Indigenous children caught in the youth justice system. Gideon Aroni talks to Victorian Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People Justin Mohamed about creating positive change.
By the time kids drop out of school it’s often too late, experts say. Teachers are even more important for disadvantaged children, write Millicent Spencer and Hannah Williams.
When an arrest becomes a badge of honour in a dysfunctional family, it’s tough for kids to ask for help. Adult and peer mentors can help break the cycle.
With fewer resources to keep them off the streets, young people in regional areas face a major struggle to stay away from the youth justice system. Support agencies are desperate for more funding to help, writes Jemima Nash.
Early intervention, education and housing can all help keep teenagers out of serious trouble. And that’s important, because contact with the youth justice system can have very poor outcomes.
A bungled police raid on a gay bookshop one year ago left an innocent man with severe injuries and sent shockwaves through Victoria’s LGBTQ community. Now there are fears of further fallout in the wake of a controversial report.
