Debate Over Age of Criminality Concern in Victoria
In brief, Victoria’s police commissioner has expressed his disapproval of a proposal to increase the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
According to experts, studies advocate for different approaches to youth justice.
Looking ahead, the Victorian government has pledged to elevate the age to 14 by 2027.
The Standoff
The discourse surrounding the youth justice system in Victoria persists as the state’s police commissioner opposes the government’s initiative to raise the age of criminality to 14.
The Allan administration has committed to gradually increasing the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, starting with a raise to 12 by the year’s end.
However, Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton has voiced his dissent towards the four-year extension of the age of criminality.
Expressing his concerns, Patton highlighted the severity of offenses committed by 12 and 13-year-olds in significant crimes, indicating his lack of support for the proposed increase.
He emphasized the recruitment efforts of outlaw motorcycle gangs and Middle Eastern organized crime groups targeting young individuals for criminal activities.
Shane Patton opposes the idea of increasing the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years old, amidst a rise in youth crime in Victoria. The number of alleged aggravated burglaries for children aged 10 to 14 has surged by 192% from 85 to 249 incidents since 2019-20. Despite this, the government is steadfast in its commitment to raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2027 at the latest. Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes emphasized that when very young children exhibit harmful behavior, it indicates significant underlying issues in their lives. She views this reform as a crucial initial step in reducing the number of children entering the criminal justice system and ensuring the safety of all Victorians. Jaclyn Symes believes that this measure will help prevent more children from getting involved in the youth justice system. The government plans to implement an alternate service model to accommodate 12- and 13-year-olds in the second stage of raising the age to 14. On the contrary, Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien is against the proposal, arguing that it lacks logic given the current circumstances. He expressed concerns, especially with youth crime peaking in Victoria, a significant increase in burglaries, and upcoming changes to bail laws. Mr. O’Brien believes that raising the age of criminal responsibility is ill-timed and not the right decision in the current scenario.
Expert Opinion on Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility
A recent study conducted by youth justice expert Susan Baidawi challenges the common concerns surrounding the age of criminality concern.
Ms. Baidawi’s research, which analyzed over 1,300 children accused of offenses in 2017, revealed some compelling insights.
Surprisingly, the study found that almost half (48.8%) of 10 to 13-year-olds did not engage in further alleged offenses over the subsequent two years.
Conversely, approximately 20% of these children were involved in more than 10 police incidents within the same timeframe.
According to Dr. Baidawi, “The data indicates that children, especially those encountering law enforcement at younger ages like 10, 11, 12, and 13, often face intricate life challenges.”
These are youngsters frequently entangled in the child protection system and have encountered or survived family violence.
Susan Baidawi highlights that younger offenders often experienced abuse and disadvantage themselves. She emphasizes that Commissioner Patton’s remarks sharply contrast with global perspectives on the age of criminality concern. According to Dr. Baidawi, these views contradict the United Nations’ recommendations, which suggest setting the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 14 years for children. She points out that in Europe, as well as in countries like China and Vietnam in Asia, the minimum age of criminality concern exceeds that of Australia.
Implications of Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility
Concerns regarding the age of criminality have been brought to the forefront following recent events in the Northern Territory. In light of the increase in serious crimes allegedly committed by young children, the decision to raise the age of criminal responsibility has sparked a debate on the appropriate measures to address juvenile offenses.
The ACT and NT’s Response to Age of Criminality Concern
In a significant move, the ACT has committed to increasing the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2025, while the NT has already implemented this change, setting the age at 12.
Findings from a recent report revealed that among the 10 or 11-year-olds included in the study whose cases went to court, none received a resolution involving youth justice supervision.
Expressing her views on the matter, a spokesperson highlighted a misconception that police involvement leads to therapeutic or corrective responses among this demographic.
It was emphasized that the necessary interventions for these individuals should focus on health, social, and welfare aspects, rather than solely relying on the justice system.
Concerns About the Age of Criminality in Stories
In the realm of storytelling, there is a growing concern surrounding the age of criminality. This concern revolves around the portrayal of criminal acts by individuals who are not of legal age. The depiction of such behavior in stories can have a significant impact on the audience, especially younger viewers. It raises questions about the ethical implications of showcasing criminal behavior by minors and the potential influence it may have on impressionable minds. The age of criminality concern is a topic that warrants careful consideration in the realm of storytelling.
Don Advocates for Raising the Age of Criminality Concern to 14 Due to Victoria’s Connect Four Incident
Victoria plans to increase the age of criminal responsibility to 14 in the next four years
In Victoria, there is a growing concern about the age of criminality. The government is taking steps to address this issue by aiming to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 within the next four years. This move is crucial in ensuring that young individuals are not unfairly penalized for their actions at a young age. By increasing the age threshold, Victoria hopes to provide a more supportive and rehabilitative approach to juvenile justice.
The Victorian opposition argues that increasing the age of criminal responsibility may contribute to gang recruitment
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