The Victorian Opposition's commitment to expand Adult Time for Violent Crime laws should it win government in November, is not based on evidence, does nothing to address the drivers of criminal behaviour and will increase the likelihood of further offending says Jesuit Social Services.
“Victoria’s courts, prisons and police resources are already under enormous pressure because of politically motivated policy changes which ignore the evidence of what works. This is a knee-jerk reaction that ignores the evidence telling us how to prevent and respond to crime,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards.
“With the Victorian election four months away, the prospect of a race to the bottom where both major parties prioritise votes over what’s best for reducing crime, and in turn the Victorian people, is deeply worrying.
“We know that putting children in prison causes lasting trauma and damage and increases their likelihood of further offending, when compared with evidence-based alternatives. Programs which are proven to work and increase community safety are being undermined and under-funded, and the fundamental rights of children are being sacrificed for political gain.”
Ms Edwards says that more than 60 per cent of children in detention are victims of abuse, neglect or trauma; around half have had contact with the child protection system and close to half have experienced family violence.
“This raises the critical question – what are we doing to address the underlying drivers of offending? Our leaders are setting Victoria up to fail by continuing to prioritise these costly and ineffective punitive responses which do not prevent recidivism, while ignoring programs which are cheaper and more effective,” says Ms Edwards.
“Evidence based solutions are out there and ready to get to work, as soon as the investment is there.
“We urge the Opposition to reconsider this harmful policy and instead look to how we can intervene on the causes and conditions that generate crime – something the government should also be prioritising.”
Contact details:
Kathryn Kernohan, [email protected] or 0409 901 248.
