Lowering the age of criminal responsibility is a step backwards we can’t risk taking
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) is urging the Northern Territory Government to reconsider its plans to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 12 years to 10 years.
The Aboriginal health organisation warns that sending children as young as 10 years old to prison will not reduce crime or make our community safer.
Congress CEO, Donna Ah Chee, said: “The evidence is clear that children aged between 10 and 12 years old do not yet have the capacity to be fully responsible for their actions.
“At this young age, children’s brains are still developing. Locking up children while their brains are still forming crucial pathways is damaging to the developing brain, and these children are more likely to go on to re-offend in the future.”
Ms Ah Chee acknowledged community concerns about levels of crime, and pointed to a range of evidence-based solutions that the Congress’ Aboriginal Board of Directors have put forward over many years.
These include secure, therapeutic care that focusses on rehabilitation; a greater focus on prevention and diversion; and strengthening families to take responsibility for their children.
“Alternative models for youth detention are required that focus on the rehabilitation of young people through secure, therapeutic care and education, preparing them for release and supporting them to gain the social and formal skills needed to obtain employment and re-integrate into their local community.”
“Family Responsibility Agreements (FRAs) are a tool that can ensures that parents are accountable for the behaviour of their children,” Ms Ah Chee explained. “These should include non-criminal, but mandatory, consequences for parents when they are not effectively caring for their children, combined with support from family services. FRAs should include mandatory income management and/or the application of the BDR for parents who are struggling with addictions to alcohol and other drugs and/or gambling.
“We all want a safe community to live, work and care for our families,” Ms Ah Chee said.
“We will not achieve this by going backwards and lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10 years.
“Congress supports the NT Children’s Commissioner in calling for evidence-based, non-punitive responses to child and youth offending.”[1] Ms Ah Chee concluded.
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Contact: kate.buckland@caac.org.au | 0408 741 691
[1] See this report, 4 October 2024: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-04/nt-childrens-commissioner-shahleena-musk-on-clp-crime-age-policy/104423080
