Updates

May 16, 2023

Statement on funding of legal services at Specialist Family Violence Courts

The Royal Commission was established in 2015 after a number of family violence-related deaths in Victoria, most notably the tragic death of Luke Batty. The Commission made 227 recommendations to reduce the impact of family violence in Victoria, including the establishment of Specialist Family Violence Courts (SFCVs) at all major courts in Victoria.

May 02, 2023

Let’s go with the science – raise the age of criminal responsibility and invest in rehabilitative and therapeutic responses for young people now

Last week, the Victorian Government announced it would raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years in 2024, and to 14 years by 2027 with exceptions for some offences. Although progress has been made, it is important to note this falls short the international standard and medical advice.  

April 26, 2023

Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12 does not go far enough

The Andrews’ Government has announced that the age of criminal responsibility in Victoria will be raised from 10 to 12 years old by late 2024, with no exceptions, and made a commitment to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years old by 2027, with exceptions for certain serious crimes. The Federation of Community Legal Centres urges the Victorian Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 with no exceptions immediately.

April 14, 2023

Statement on bail law reforms

The Federation welcomes the Victorian Government's commitment to overhauling Victoria's bail laws, and urges for the legislation of Poccum's Law.

February 01, 2023

Smart Justice for Women: response to the Coroner’s findings into the death of Veronica Nelson

Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers: This statement contains references to a deceased person.

On Monday, Coroner Simon McGregor delivered his findings from the Inquest into the death of proud Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman Veronica Nelson, who died in custody at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre after being refused bail for minor offences. While alone in her cell as her health deteriorated and she lay dying, her calls for help were repeatedly ignored by prison staff.