Change the Record

🚩 TWO YEARS ON, STILL NO CHANGE 🚩 In 2022, a Four Corners episode exposed the abuse children endure in Australia’s youth prison system. Two years later, only the ACT and Tasmania have raised the age of criminal responsibility, while the Northern Territory, NSW, and Queensland continue to jail kids as young as 10. First Nations leaders, backed by legal, medical, and human rights experts, are calling for urgent reform: shut down youth prisons, stop new facilities, and raise the minimum age to 14—no exceptions. Australia remains one of the few developed nations prosecuting 10-year-olds, a practice banned in countries like Russia and China. The evidence is clear: jailing kids doesn’t make communities safer. It’s time to demand better for our children. It’s time to #RaiseTheAge. WATCH THE EPISODE 👇 👇 👇

In partnership with the Human Rights Law Centre, Change the Record proudly submitted to the 2024 Senate inquiry to end youth incarceration. With conservative governments pushing for harsher laws, the risks to our young people are growing. Now more than ever, the Commonwealth must protect our children, families, and communities from this wave of regressive policies. We’re counting on this inquiry to set a safer, fairer path forward – and eagerly await the report’s release.

"We did get it wrong a year ago. However I trust that the next time Australians are given the power we won’t make the same mistake." Blake Cansdale On 14 October 2023, Australians were asked whether they supported a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament for First Nations peoples—a step toward justice, healing, and ending the powerlessness of First Nations peoples in their own Country. Sadly, the answer was no. As the dust settles, it’s clear that misinformation, disinformation, and a lack of understanding played a key role in this outcome. Many Australians were unaware of the Uluru Statement from the Heart—the foundation of the proposal. But even amid disappointment, we are reminded of the need to continue the fight for justice, and that change will come. Over the past year, we’ve seen some important wins, significant setbacks, and challenges. Here's the good, the bad and the downright ugly. READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/ginPnaxr

🔥 Australia, we've got the receipts! 👀 #RaiseTheAge isn't new – we’ve been shouting about it for years, and we’re not stopping now. While communities speak up, the Victorian and NT governments are turning their backs and pushing to lock up kids even easier. They're breaking promises and taking us backwards. A child can’t work until 13. A child can’t drive until 16. But they can be jailed at 10. The rest of the world gets it, but why don't we?

📢 JUSTICE FOR CLEVELAND DODD 📢 Cleveland Dodd's family have demanded justice and accountability, calling out the inquest for failing to hear from the key voices needed to uncover the truth behind his avoidable death. "We are living in a sea of grief, but a mother and father deserve the truth, and they're seeing a system in denial. Cleveland deserved better," said Gerry Georgatos, youth detention expert. We stand with Cleveland’s family in their fight for justice. READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/gx5SzA2e On August 30th, WA recorded its second child death in detention. This tragedy comes after the death of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd, who died in October 2023, marking the first-ever recorded child death in detention in WA’s history. WA’s youth justice system is in crisis. Since 2022, children have been imprisoned in Unit 18 – a maximum-security adult prison condemned as a human rights violation. Children are subjected to lockdowns exceeding 20 hours a day, and over 90% of them have severe neurodevelopmental disabilities. It’s time for action. Premier Cook and the WA Government must commit to a total overhaul of the youth justice system. We need to listen to experts, Aboriginal leaders, and community organisations to build a system that protects, not harms, our kids. 👇 👇 👇 Spread the word, get involved, end the abuse 👇 👇 👇 https://lnkd.in/gdqNcEWS

Last month our Instagram account got hacked and we temporarily lost the platform that connected us to our community. But now we're back and we would greatly appreciate your support in helping us to rebuild our community, by sharing our content on your own platform and with friends. Change the Record is Australia’s only First Nations-led coalition of legal, health and family violence prevention experts. We campaign to end the incarceration of, and family violence against, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Catch us on Instagram: https://lnkd.in/eAf89TGG Solidarity Always! #RaisetheAge #ChangetheRecord

Shame! Change the Record condemns the Northern Territory lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 14-17 are incarcerated at a higher rate in the NT than anywhere else in the country. "We're lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 so that young people can be held accountable and that appropriate consequences for their age are delivered, such as boot camps," new NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro told reporters. Change the Record is calling for all Australian State and Territory governments to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to a minimum of 14, with no exceptions and no carve-outs. This would bring Australia up to the minimum standards set by the United Nations and the global average. We know that children who come into contact with the criminal legal system have experienced significant trauma in their short lives. Instead of providing the love and support they desperately need, we are separating them from those who care about them. Make no mistake, by locking up these small children, governments are turning their backs on them in their time of need. If you agree that kids belong in school yards, not prison cells, sign our petition at https://lnkd.in/gFRyEy9X and join our campaign to #RaiseTheAge

The report is out but offers no immediate solutions. Have those in power truly heard the courageous Aboriginal women who stood up and shared their story? Now more than ever we are looking to all political leaders – regardless of party – for urgent action and change that puts our women’s and children’s safety first. Read thr latest opinion piece on this report in The Guardian by the CEO of Djirra and co-chair of Change the Record, Antoinette Braybrook.

Change the Record is proud to join this crucial call for action. We're urging everyone to reach out to their MP and demand a complete overhaul of youth justice in Western Australia. Let’s push for real change!

Change the Record are recruiting for Board Directors! Are you a First Nations person who is an expert in health, legal, family violence prevention or human rights and is passionate about making change through law reform, advocacy and campaigning? We are currently seeking one Director to start as soon as possible, and several others to commence in April 2024. Our Board of Directors can be located anywhere in Australia. We are a young organisation that has grown rapidly and we are close to incorporating as a company. In this new and exciting phase, we need a diverse, experienced, innovative and highly committed Board of Directors to help us achieve our ambitious goals! If this sounds like something you may be interested in, we encourage you to apply through Ethical Jobs. Please direct any enquiries to National Director, Maggie Munn: maggie@changetherecord.org.au https://lnkd.in/gYaVTf8T