Aboriginal Youth Justice

It is most unfortunate that young Aboriginal people are facing higher rates of criminal activity in many of our communities as a percentage of the total communities; this is something we must address in a careful and understanding way. Very often the criminal activity comes from a disrespect of the law and of other community members. It seems to us that the actual social disadvantage that many Aboriginal people have stems from the belief of dispossession and suppression that is often exaggerated, often for political advantage, by people claiming to represent them; yet deliver no advantage to the Aboriginal communities. We must begin to stop the segregation, either intentional or unintentional, and commence wholesome treatment of the Aboriginal communities as an interracial part of the Australian society.

All juvenile crime must be treated equally before the law; though in dealing with an offender we must have in mind the real purpose of bringing a criminal activity before the courts, and that is to correct the behaviour so the offender can re-join society as a good contributor to the society in which they live.

Policy:

• • Aboriginal Youth Justice must be to deliver correction and encouragement to improved behaviour to each person coming before the justice system.
  • All persons involved in dealing with Aboriginal Youth Justice must have an understanding of how social disadvantage may influence criminal and anti-social behaviour and to create strategies to entice a person away from criminal and anti-social behaviour.
  • Where and when necessary social assistance programs must be put in place to try to counter the social disadvantage that seems to be unpinning the criminal and anti-social behaviour.