Lead campaigner for Raise the Age, Emily Mayo, says criminalising children not only causes them harm, but hurts other children, families and the community.
“Services, communities and workers are coming together in NSW to support raising the age because we know the issues, understand the problems and can build the alternatives,” she said.
“The NSW Government has a unique opportunity to show leadership by partnering with these organisations and investing in models that are better for kids and better for communities.”
The United Nations recommends 14 as the age of criminal responsibility, which is supported by doctors, legal experts and the recently released Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
Reducing unfair fines and over-policing from alcohol-free zones