Watchdog backs call for strip searches, restraints to be banned in Victoria
STRIP searches, restraints and the use of isolation should be prohibited in Victoria’s youth justice system, a state watchdog says.
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STRIP searches, restraints and the use of isolation should be prohibited in Victoria’s youth justice system, a state watchdog says.
Commissioner for Children and Young People Liana Buchanan has called for the practices to be stamped out for underage offenders, fearing they could increasingly be used as the youth justice population grows.
“We have had children handcuffed when they haven’t been individually assessed for risk,’’ she said.
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“They have been strip searched. We have had incidents of children being subject to excessive isolation, excessive use of force and excessive restraint.
“There is no question that we have a growing number of children in youth justice. We want the governments, including the Victorian government, to think of this as we reform the system.”
Her call was made in conjunction with commissioners from across Australia, following a damning review of the Northern Territory system and the treatment of young people in detention.
The inquiry was held after Four Corners documented children being stripped if they threatened to self-harm and also included pictures of Dylan Voller being restrained in a spit hood.
The Australian Children’s Commissioners and Guardians released their position statement, with national commissioner Megan Mitchell saying: “This is about recognising that children and young people in youth justice detention have human rights that must be respected and promoted, ensuring that youth justice facilities are set up to respond to the trauma experienced by some of our most vulnerable children, and that their developmental needs are met.”
Ms Buchanan said Victoria’s system was not as bad as other states but warned of alarming incidents on the public record. In March, she appeared before a parliamentary inquiry and revealed nine allegations of assault had been made against correctional staff at Barwon Prison’s youth justice unit.
She also confirmed commission staff had increased regular visits to Malmsbury and Parkville centres amid concerns that staffing shortages, lock downs and the state of the facilities could increase likelihood of further incidents.
Ms Buchanan told the inquiry she had heard stories of violence against children as well as staff at all youth justice facilities in Victoria.
This included several cases of broken limbs from staff attempting to restrain children, serious cases of self harm and juveniles stopped from attending visits with family due to staff shortages.