Davin Tan’s Post

A striking sadness that concerns about overcrowding are given more prominence in reporting than #childrights 😔 - right across Australia, right now, numbers of children placed in institutional forms of care is rising, not just in youth justice but also in 'care and protection' settings. More beds, more children, less individual care. #why #abedisnotanoutcome #childrenmatter The government concedes the laws are contrary to international and state human rights law, are discriminatory against young people and will “have a greater impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children”. Many raised concern that the state’s overcrowded youth justice system – which already detains more children than any other state – would be overwhelmed ... the government will ... review the effectiveness of the laws and potentially expand them.

As we mark International Children's Rights Day 2024, I reflect on a critical truth I've witnessed throughout my career: children deprived of liberty remain among the most vulnerable and forgotten members of our society and we impose a systemic and structural violence upon them. During the collective work on the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, we identified 7 million children worldwide who are detained in various contexts per year - from migration facilities to institutions, from armed conflict situations to criminal justice systems. Each number represents a child whose rights and freedoms have been curtailed, often without proper justification or due process. This continues to take place and has worsened in many areas. The phrase "leaving no one behind" rings hollow when we continue to place children behind bars and continue to create unhealthy societies which focus on punishment rather than rehabilitation. As we noted in our research, published in "Human Rights Behind Bars," detention has profound negative impacts on children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development. AND alternatives exist around the world. Successful diversion programs, community-based care, and restorative justice approaches have shown promising results across different regions and contexts. We need to continue to: -Listen to children's voices and experiences -Invest in prevention rather than detention -Implement child-friendly justice systems -Strengthen child protection mechanisms -Ensure proper data collection and monitoring As the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child emphasizes, every child deserves protection, participation, and the opportunity to develop to their full potential. This isn't just about policy - it's about recognizing EACH child's inherent dignity and worth. Let's use this International Children's Rights Day to move beyond awareness to action. Children behind bars may be invisible to most of us, but they shouldn't be forgotten and we should, more than ever, reform our old ways which dont work. Together, we can work toward a world where detention truly is a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time - if absolutely necessary- and not the first step as we see it very too often. But we should go beyond and end detention for children all in all. #ChildrensRightsDay #ChildRights #HumanRights #ChildJustice #UNGlobalStudy #ChildProtection #UNCRC

WGG Australia and University of Newcastle Centre for Law and Social Justice recently held a panel to discuss domestic violence and Indigenous women. We were fortunate enough to have Shantell Bailey (Legal Aid) and Adam Checkley (Aboriginal Legal Service) join us to offer their insight.   Adam highlighted that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) women face disproportionately high rates of domestic violence, being approximately 31 times more likely to be hospitalised due to domestic violence than the general population. Legal systems have historically let down these communities, with many finding the Court system overwhelming. Additionally, housing and Centrelink issues often force women back into abusive situations. Shantell noted structural barriers within the legislation, including housing risks and the reluctance of ATSI women to share details of abuse due to cultural factors like shame and mistrust of the legal system.   Both speakers acknowledged that mistrust of the legal system stems from its historical role in displacing ATSI people. To build trust, legal professionals need to engage directly with communities, establish outreach and referral networks, and adapt their communication to meet client needs. Adam emphasised that mistrust is often mistaken for disinterest, which further alienates the community. Shantell called for reforms in housing availability, as limited options prevent women from leaving abusive situations. The current waitlists and priority lists are full, and more suitable housing is needed. She also discussed the limited protections under the Residential Tenancies Act for women experiencing domestic violence.   Both panellists emphasised the need for better community policing and collaboration with ATSI-controlled organisations. They highlighted the importance of not imposing solutions on communities without consultation and respecting clients' expertise in their own lives. Advocacy should avoid creating unrealistic expectations or the notion of a "perfect victim-survivor."   The panel underscored the need for trust, cultural awareness, and systemic reform to address the specific challenges faced by Indigenous women in domestic violence situations. Thank you to Adam and Shantell for providing your insight.

🚨 Emerging Legal Issue: Discrimination in "Crime-Free" and “Nuisance” Housing Programs 🚨 An emerging legal challenge is taking center stage: the discriminatory impact of "crime-free" and "nuisance" housing ordinances. Supposedly intended to enhance safety, these policies are under increasing scrutiny for disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, including people of color, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence. Recent U.S. Department of Justice guidance highlights that many of these ordinances violate federal laws such as the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. As legal scrutiny intensifies, pro bono lawyers have an opportunity to contribute by representing affected individuals and supporting policy changes. 🔗 Explore Pro Bono Institute’s latest PBEye blog post, “Exposing Discrimination in "Crime-Free" and “Nuisance” Housing Programs: A Call to Action for Pro Bono Lawyers,” and learn more about this emerging legal issue and its impact on low-income communities and access to justice. https://bit.ly/4euMIoN #EmergingLegalIssues #HousingJustice #ProBono #FairHousing #CivilRights #AccesstoJustice

In New Zealand, 1.1 million people have a form of impairment. This impacts clients, staff, and stakeholders in the legal field. How accessible and inclusive is your practice?    Join our expert panel, Her Honour Judge Inglis, Geraldine Lewis, Nick Johnston, Tyrone Toia and Olivia Kelly as they explore the challenges and solutions for supporting disabled impaired clients in the legal system. Learn how to make justice more accessible with meaningful changes in your practice.    Ensure your practice is compliant and genuinely inclusive. Let’s create a more just and equitable legal system together!    Book now- https://lnkd.in/g4YQFvMT   #Accessibility #Inclusion #LegalProfession #DisabilityRights #AccessToJustice 

Today is the #InternationalDayofFamilies. As the Global Campaign for Equality in Family Law, we are committed to the pursuit of #LegalEquality for women, girls, and other marginalised groups, under laws, policies, and practices that relate to families in all their diversity, regardless of religion and culture. Family law has a domino effect across multiple areas including education, economic participation, health, and political empowerment. Find out more about our global campaign, and the ways you and your organisation can get involved, here: equalfamilylaws.org Without equality in the family, we cannot have equality in society.  #FreeOurFamilyLaws #FamilyMatters Global Campaign for Equality in Family Law, Equality Now, Musawah, FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network, Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace, UN Women, CLADEM and Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV)

https://lnkd.in/euU28F9h The bible is something that King's Charles/Monarch/Great Britain bases their values off and quotes from during certain speeches. However this same book that is reference from states, “Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them” (Proverbs 13:24). Why would you reference from a book that promotes values that contradicts the objectives of certain legislation i.e Human rights Act 1998? Whats the obsession with trying to obtain children from their natural biological parents to be put in children's governmental services to be abused and conditioned to inhumane practices. You have to question the motives of legislators when your witnessing pure and utter hipocrisy from those in the autocracy, to why they would want to withdraw powers from parents and carers who also attempts to help govern society by correcting undesirable behaviours from children when absolutely nesscesary. Why would the Children's commissioner who is not fit for purpose, be begging the government to strip powers from parents to give rise to covert easy legal processses for the removal of children from their family homes on the grounds of physical abuse? When sexual and physical abuse is rampant under the state services. Some would argue that this is a covert way to traffic children into governmental organisations for the purpose to exploit those deemed as vulnerable and forgotten. Its not the issue of the government putting further powers out in legislation to stop physical discipline towards children, as children should be protected at all cost from the likes of Jimmy Savile, Labour MP Eric Joyce, the Catholic Church, Police officers, such as Lewis Edwards, my issue is that the Children's Commissioner are not going far enough to promote the safeguarding of children who are identified as vulnerable, ie children in care and also children subject to governmental multidisciplinary teams due to how certain of the private and confidential Act is fashioned. These same very Acts fail children and give powers to government organisations and agents powers to abuse children, due to no external monitoring of these governmental organisations. The Children's Commissioner claims to be so concerned with the protection of vulnerable children, when this organisation who works also in partnership with many other multidisciplinary teams and organisations fail to protect these same children? when they claim to have the children's best interest at heart but allow the grave abuses and exploitation of children in many government lead organisations and I havent seen no adequate activism from the Children's Comissioner concerning these issues.

Groundbreaking Mock Trial Event in Taiz City: A Landmark Achievement in Child Rights Advocacy On July 20, 2024, Taiz City hosted a landmark mock trial event implemented by #Justice4Yemen Pact member YCMHRV. This initiative signifies a critical advancement in the fight against child rights violations amid Yemen's ongoing conflict. The event attracted considerable media attention, with coverage from 37 local news outlets, including Yemen Shabab and Aden TV, as well as regional highlights from Al Hadath TV. It brought together key stakeholders from the justice sector—representatives from security units, court officials, public prosecutors, and civil society leaders—underscoring its importance and impact. Among the significant outcomes of the event was a notable increase in community engagement, reflecting heightened awareness of child rights issues. Taiz University law students gained invaluable practical experience, enhancing their academic training and preparing them for future legal careers. Most importantly, the event fostered trust among victims and their families, leading to a marked rise in incident reports received by YCMHRV, thereby strengthening the framework for #accountability. By simulating real cases of sexual violence and child recruitment, the trials aimed to combat impunity and promote awareness of local and international legal frameworks. The head of the Neighborhoods Security Unit in Taiz emphasized the trial's vital role in reinforcing accountability for child rights violations. This event not only advanced the cause of child protection but also established a precedent for future advocacy efforts. 🎥 Watch the video to learn more about this pioneering mock trial and YCMHRV’s ongoing commitment to supporting child rights in #Yemen. #ChildRights #Justice #Yemen #HumanRights #MockTrial #YCMHRV #Advocacy #LegalEducation #TaizCity #Justice4Yemen

The treatment of children in the criminal justice system, some as young as ten years old, is one of the most urgent human rights issues facing Australia today. In a new Australian Human Rights Commission report, children and young people spoke about what is needed to minimise contact with the child justice system. Their insights confirm that crime committed by children is a symptom of children’s needs not being met. We know that social disadvantage is the root cause of offending behaviour, but policy responses are too often centred on policing, stricter bail laws, and incarceration. These responses worsen the trauma and inequality driving children’s contact with the justice system in the first place. We need transformational change that puts child well-being first. This means:  - positioning children at the centre of policymaking and service delivery - empowering First Nations children, families and communities  - optimising community-based action - building a capable and child-specialised workforce - basing systems on data and evidence, and  - embedding accountability for the rights of children. 🔗You can read more recommendations in the full report: https://lnkd.in/gjdjyz2s

This #PolyamoryDay, we’re reflecting on how polyamory and consensual non-monogamy are part of the fight for global self-determination and bodily autonomy. Project 2025 advocates for a patriarchal vision of a “nuclear” family, and we know that polyamory is a powerful act of opposition to this forced image of family. Authoritarian control of family structure is reproductive control, and the right to family autonomy is part of the right to body autonomy. The liberation of polyamorous people and our right to live our lives free of government repression is directly tied to the liberation of our trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming community. If you’re poly, we encourage you to see yourselves as part of a broader movement towards justice for all - and please join us in the fight to stand up for our trans and nonbinary community right now. Chosen Family Law Center’s Executive Director and Senior Legal Director are not only part of polyamorous families themselves, but helped co-found the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition (polyamorylegal.org) to advance the civil and human rights of polyamorous individuals, communities, and families through legislative advocacy, public policy, and public education across the U.S. We’ve passed relationship structure non-discrimination and multi-partner domestic partnership laws in MA and CA, and are about to present to the New York City Council on how to bring these laws to NY. We are proud to be the first legal services organization to provide legal protection documents for low-income polyamorous and chosen families in New York. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply for services here: https://lnkd.in/eEcxE9Af During this holiday season filled with uncertainty and intensity, we wish you and your family, in whatever shape it may take, solidarity and resistance!