Media Release: Over 30 organisations have joined the call to raise the age of youth justice

15 June 2016

Support to raise the age of youth justice in New Zealand just keeps on growing. There are now over 30 organisations sending a clear signal to the Government that it is time to take children out of our adult justice system.

Each year these organisations work with many thousands of victims, young people, prisoners and communities. These organisations work in diverse areas from learning disabilities to homelessness, family violence to youth development. Some are researchers and experts in areas such as child development and restorative justice. What unites them is that today they are all calling on the Government to raise the age of youth justice.

"It is almost unprecedented for such a large number of organisations to come together on a single issue. That is how important this one is" says Katie Bruce, Director of JustSpeak, an organisation of young people seeking an evidence-based criminal justice system.

This overwhelming support from the youth, justice and disability sectors comes as the new Child, Youth and Family Bill is debated for the first time in Parliament today, and the Green party announces its support for raising the age. A Cabinet decision on the age of youth justice is expected in the coming weeks.

Supporting organisations:
Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa, ADHD Association, Alcohol Healthwatch, Anglican Diocese of Wellington, Ara Taiohi, Brainwave Trust, Challenge 2000, Children’s Issues Centre, Community Law, Donald Beasley Institute, Dyslexia Foundation, FASD-CAN, Hui E, Human Rights Foundation, Human Rights Lawyers Association, JustSpeak, Lifewise, OMEP, Pillars, Prison Fellowship, Restorative Practices Aotearoa, Salvation Army, Talking Trouble, Te Taitimu Trust, Te Whare Rokiroki Maori Women’s Refuge, Unicef, Victim Support, Wellington Women's Refuge, Wesley Community Action, YouthLaw, Youthline.

Supporting experts:
Professor Mark Henaghan, Dr Nessa Lynch, Dr Kim Workman, Associate Professor Nicola Taylor and Megan Gollop.

ENDS

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