The Bourke Shire Council in New South Wales is opposing the recommendation to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years. Advocates argue that early contact with the criminal justice system can have negative long-term impacts. However, Councillor Robert Stutsel, a former police officer in the town, believes that increasing the age will neglect the community’s youth. He argues that when a child is arrested, it is an opportunity for society to do something to better their life. Dubbo-based senior associate Jennifer Spear also believes that children belong in playgrounds and schools, not in the criminal justice system.
Following an article on ABC News, the Bourke Shire Council in New South Wales is opposing calls to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years. The council is grappling with high youth crime rates and believes that increasing the age of criminal responsibility will neglect the community’s youth.
At a recent council meeting, councillors agreed to write to government ministers expressing their “absolute opposition” to an increase in the age of criminal responsibility. Councillor Robert Stutsel, a former police officer in the town, put forward the motion and believes that when a child is arrested, it’s an opportunity for society to do something to better their life.
However, advocates argue that early contact with the criminal justice system has negative long-term impacts. Dubbo-based senior associate Jennifer Spear says that the earlier a child is entangled within the criminal justice system, the more it can lead to detrimental long-term consequences. Studies show that early run-ins with the criminal justice system can lead to bad outcomes later in life, such as recidivism and difficulty persisting with schooling.
In December, the Standing Council of Attorneys-General released a previously secret report from 2020 recommending the age of criminal responsibility be raised to 14 without exception. This recommendation has been pushed by medical, legal, and human rights groups for years.
Despite this, Cr Stutsel believes that lifting the age of criminal responsibility will deprive young people of opportunities to be held accountable for their actions. He clarifies that throwing kids in jail is the worst-case scenario and that there are many alternatives to incarceration, such as community service and counseling.
Barwon MP Roy Butler agrees that more options need to be available for young offenders. He says that the current system is not working and that early intervention and prevention programs are needed.
Consequently, the issue of raising the age of criminal responsibility is a complex one with valid arguments on both sides. While the Bourke Shire Council opposes the change, advocates believe that it will lead to better long-term outcomes for young people. It’s clear that more options need to be available for young offenders, and early intervention and prevention programs should be prioritized to address the root causes of youth crime.