21 October 2024
Life Without Barriers is deeply concerned and alarmed by the Northern Territory Government’s decision to pass legislation that lowers the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years. This is a significant step backward in the effort to protect vulnerable children and break cycles of disadvantage.
Research consistently shows that early exposure to the criminal justice system increases the likelihood of long-term involvement.
Claire Robbs, Chief Executive of Life Without Barriers, stated, "We firmly believe that the minimum age of criminal responsibility should be 14 across all Australian jurisdictions..”
“The evidence is clear – early detention harms young people, is ineffective, and entrenches social disadvantage. Placing children as young as 10 in prison is not a solution, instead we need to have support services that are compassionate, adequately resourced and trauma-informed.”
“We don’t have to choose between children and community safety. The solution is for the Northern Territory Government to listen and embrace the existing research and evidence and make a different choice for the long term.”
“This decision will have catastrophic consequences on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and our organisation will continue to partner to support decision makers to understand they can pass laws the promote the positive futures of children, not ones that cause irrevocable harm.”
Life Without Barriers remains committed to creating safer communities by addressing the root causes of youth offending, such as trauma, intergenerational disadvantage, and systemic inequities that often lead children into the justice system.
Lowering the age of criminal responsibility will have a substantial impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Territory who are already vastly over-represented in the justice system now. Lowering the age of criminal responsibility is short sighted ignores evidence and is not the most effective path to community safety.
Our focus must be on keeping families together, providing vulnerable children and young people with the support they need, and ensuring access to education, family and community support and meaningful opportunities.
Life Without Barriers will continue to advocate for the minimum age of criminal responsibility to be raised across the country to a 14 years. We will also continue to promote and work with Governments to embrace trauma-informed, person-centred care that prevents youth involvement in the criminal justice system.
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