APS Response to the Senate Inquiry into Australia's Youth Justice and Incarceration System

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) submitted a response to the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Youth Justice and Incarceration System, advocating for comprehensive, evidence-based reforms. ​

In our submission we highlight the urgent need to address well known systemic failures and abuses in the child justice system, particularly the overrepresentation of First Nations children. ​

The APS calls for national leadership, legislative reforms and the involvement of psychologists in shaping effective child justice policies that align with Australia’s international human rights obligations and that equally promotes the wellbeing and safety of children, families, kin and the broader community. ​Key recommendations include:

• raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14,
• increasing investment in evidence-based prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation programs,
• improving detention practices, and
• embedding culturally safe, trauma-informed care throughout the system. ​

View submission