Raise The Age

For years now, Commonwealth, state and territory governments have failed to take any action to end the appalling practice of locking away children as young as 10 years old in police and prison cells.

Now, instead of taking decisive action, they continue to kick the can down the road - leaaving almost 500 children trapped behind bars over the last 12 months.

Email your state or territory Attorney General, Premier or Chief Minister to let them know that their constituents want action - now. State and Territory governments must urgently raise the age to at least 14 years old.

For years now, Commonwealth, state and territory governments have failed to take any action to end the appalling practice of locking away children as young as 10 years old in police and prison cells.

Now, instead of taking decisive action, they continue to kick the can down the road - leaaving almost 500 children trapped behind bars over the last 12 months.

Email your state or territory Attorney General, Premier or Chief Minister to let them know that their constituents want action - now. State and Territory governments must urgently raise the age to at least 14 years old.

Raise the Age, ACT!

Right now in the ACT children as young as 10 years old can be arrested, thrown into police vehicles and locked away behind bars. The ACT has committed to raise the age to 14 years old - but we are extremely concerned by recent reports in the Canberra Times that progress on changing the law has stalled.

Use our easy email tool to contact your local MP, Attorney General, Minister for Children, Youth and Families and Chief Minister Andrew Barr and urge them to Raise the Age to at least 14 years old.

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Compose your email

Subject:

I am writing after seeing the concerning reports in The Canberra Times on 16 May 2022 that progress has stalled on changing the laws to keep children out of prison, and raising the age to at least 14 years old.

The ACT has always prided itself on being a leader in human rights and social justice. What could be more important than ensuring very young children are given age-appropriate support in the community, schools and family - not in prison.

I am seeking your assurance that the ACT remains committed to its evidence-based approach to raise the age to at least 14 years old and to support children and their families to grow and thrive in our community.

The medical evidence is clear. Children under the age of 14 years old do not have the cognitive development to be held criminally responsible, and any exposure to the criminal justice system can cause them lifelong harm.

We should be helping children learn from their mistakes, not harming them for life.

There are alternatives that work. Right around the country, community-driven solutions, intensive family support programs, trauma-informed mentorship and on-country learning are supporting children to learn from their mistakes instead of locking them away.

Professor McArthur's report, commissioned by the ACT Government, lays out a roadmap for these crucial reforms in the ACT. We urge the government to listen to the experts and take the necessary steps to raise the age to at least 14 years old and invest in the services and supports we need in the community.

Our community can do better than criminalizing children.

Please, raise the age to at least 14 and ensure our most at-risk and vulnerable children get the support they need.

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