Indigenous young people with cognitive disabilities and Australian juvenile justice systems : A report

Description

This report has been prepared as a result of the findings of a discussion paper, ‘Criminal justice and Indigenous people with cognitive disabilities’, developed in 2004 for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services. The discussion paper found that Indigenous people with cognitive disabilities in the criminal justice system are more likely to experience further discrimination once involved in the system. To progress the findings of the discussion paper, funding was provided to develop a more detailed examination of some of the issues raised that had been raised. This report provides the following: an overview of the issues relating to Indigenous young people with a cognitive disability and/or mental health concern; a brief statistical overview of Indigenous young people in the juvenile justice system, as well as the prevalence of cognitive disabilities and mental health of Indigenous young people; highlight some current policy and program approaches; present main findings from the research and consultations; consider possible strategies and areas for further research.

Copyright Information

© Commonwealth of Australia 2005. Copying is permissible provided acknowledgement is made to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.