Intervention orders being taken out against children as young as seven

CHILDREN as young as seven are being served with intervention orders as courts struggle to deal with out-of-control kids in Victoria.

CHILDREN as young as seven are being served with intervention orders as courts struggle to deal with out-of-control kids in Victoria.

A Herald Sun investigation reveals more than 2000 court intervention orders (IVOs) have been taken out against under-18s, since January 2010.

Alarmingly, 135 orders were granted against children aged 13 and under, prompting outrage from experts who called for an immediate government review.

"It is a disturbing pattern if we are taking out IVOs on children that are not even in their teens," said Caroline Counsel from the Law Institute Victoria.

"I am astounded those circumstances warrant an IVO.

"The moment you hit those numbers, the community - and the Government certainly as a law maker - have to look at this."

Experts back the call, fearing children and many parents do not understand that a breach of an IVO carries a maximum penalty of two years behind bars.

Adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg feared judges were favouring IVOs over mediation.

"I don't think that a child as young as seven has the maturity all round to understand the seriousness and full implications of an intervention order," Dr Carr-Gregg said.

"There are some kids that are just bad kids and in rare instances I am in favour of them, but for children that young we should not be divvying out intervention orders at all."

The number of orders was revealed under Freedom of Information laws.

Orders against minors have come from other children or their families to provide protection from neighbourhood and schoolyard bullies.

In some cases the intervention orders are being requested by parents against their own children, to stop their kids from committing violence at home.

In a bid to stem the rise of child intervention orders, the former state government introduced legislation in 2010.

The move hasn't curbed the number of IVOs granted, but the Baillieu Government has refused to act.

Victorian Government spokesman James Copsey rejected calls for an investigation into cases involving young children.

"Courts are called upon to issue intervention orders in a wide range of cases, including cases of alleged ongoing bullying or harassment," Mr Copsey said.

"It is a matter for the courts to decide in all the circumstances of a particular case whether or not it is appropriate to issue an intervention order against a minor and what consequences will apply if a breach occurs."