We supported Kim and Lincoln, who have childhood experience of the criminal justice system, to share their stories and recommendations with NSW Parliament.
Kim and Lincoln have childhood experience of the criminal legal system in NSW. Both Kim and Lincoln were failed by police, schools and the care system, leading them into criminalisation and harm.
Now they are telling lawmakers in the NSW Parliament the best way to help children from going down the path of arrest, prison and future offending is to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14, so young children avoid contact with the criminal legal system. They also recommend the NSW Government invests in placed-based community services to support children if they go off track.
This submission shares their stories and highlights missed opportunities when support could have put them on the right track. The submission shows the harms of the NSW Government’s current approach to youth justice, and how funding the solutions could help.
The Justice and Equity Centre, St Vincent de Paul Society and Rainbow Lodge supported Kim and Lincoln to write and make their submission.
Content advisory: This submission contains mention of sexual abuse and violence.
The JEC has also made its own submission to this inquiry.
