The Victorian Government’s plan to introduce ‘adult time for violent crime’ laws – which could see children aged 14 sentenced to life in prison – is deeply concerning, will not make the community safer and is incompatible with the fundamental rights of children, says Jesuit Social Services.

“Serious and violent crime has a terrible impact on victims and communities. We need genuine reform to reduce harm and keep the community safe instead of short-term, politically-driven responses,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards.

“We need reform and investment to address and reduce crime, to meet the needs of victims through restorative practices, and to ultimately create the stronger and more cohesive communities we all want.”

“Jesuit Social Services has worked with children who have contact with the youth justice system for nearly 50 years and we have long urged our political leaders to commit to do much more to prevent crime from occurring in the first place and keep young people engaged with education, family and positive role models in the community.

“Instead, we have seen reforms to bail and sentencing and investment at the wrong end of the system with $727m committed in the 2025 Victorian budget to prison expansion. Where is the similar investment in prevention, early intervention, restorative justice programs, and services for children to recover from past experiences of trauma and violence?,” says Ms Edwards.

Ms Edwards pointed to evidence showing the clear links between experiences of harm and violence as victims among children who then end up involved in the criminal justice system later in life.

“It is really important to remember that more than 60 per cent of children in detention are victims of abuse, neglect or trauma; around half have had contact with the child protection system and close to half have experienced family violence. This raises the critical question – what are we doing to address this and other underlying drivers of offending, instead of relying solely on costly and ineffective punitive responses?”.

“We urge the Victorian Government to abandon this legislation and commit to policies and investments to better support children to address the underlying drivers of crime.”

This article is taken from a Jesuit Social Services media release.