Raising the age of criminal responsibility
22 October 2020, 4:00PM-5:00PM
In all Australian jurisdictions, the age of criminal responsibility is 10 years. It is one of the lowest ages of criminal responsibility in the world. Last year there were 600 children aged 10-13 in detention in Australia, with 60% being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children.
Please note, this event has now passed. You can watch a recording of the event here.
By maintaining such a low age of criminal responsibility, Australia is failing to meet international human rights standards, is ignoring the scientific evidence on child and adolescent brain development, and is exposing thousands of Australian children to the harmful effects of the criminal justice system each year. Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14 would mean that approximately 8,000 Australian young people a year would be spared from harmful and criminogenic experiences that often have life-long consequences. Please join us for a panel discussion on what is an important issue now and for future generations. Panel members:
- Liana Buchanan, Principal Commissioner, Commission for Children and Young People
- Anoushka Jeronimus, Youth Director, West Justice
- Nerita Waight, CEO, Victoria Aboriginal Legal Service
MC:
- Rob Hulls, Director, Centre for Innovative Justice.
