LNP’s plan to reduce youth crime is nothing but a draconian disaster

OPINION: Cruel, shortsighted, and ignorant are all words to describe the LNP’s plan for youth crime but ‘effective’ is not one, writes court reporter Kate Stephenson.

Picture: File

As a court reporter in regional Queensland, I get a front-row seat to the goings on of youth crime in the community and I have to say, I think we are missing the point.

“Adult crime, adult time” might be a catchy slogan but what does it actually mean for the future of our state and the children we are meant to protect?

Only weeks after childrens court opened to the media, I sat in on a bail hearing for a 14-year-old girl.

I listened as this young girl’s grandmother, mother and father – the people meant to care for her, guide her through life – fought tooth and nail to avoid taking responsibility for her.

She was too much, they said. There was nothing more they could do.

Despite a half-hearted offer from her father to take her in, the magistrate refused her release, fearing she would be left on the streets, alone in the world.

Her pain was audible as she left sobbing and screaming, carted away in handcuffs.

Countless times, I’ve listened to the grim realities of life at home for these offenders.

Homes devoid of love, homes devoid of role models, homes filled with fear, abuse and neglect.

For some, it seemed detention was the reward, not the punishment.

No doubt there are child offenders who have caused unimaginable pain, stress and trauma to their victims.

Their behaviour is deplorable and serious offending should be punished, but we have a responsibility to enable these kids to escape the cycle of offending.

We are quick to grab our pitchforks but simply locking them up for longer and longer periods will do nothing to fix the root cause of the issue.

Let’s equip parents with the resources to support their kids, let’s ensure children have a safe home to return to, let’s give these kids something positive to funnel their energy into.

If these kids are given a way out, nine times out of ten, they will take it.

Our taste for blood cannot come at the cost of our country’s future – nor the corruption of our youngest and most vulnerable.

We deserve to feel safe in our homes, but so do these kids.

Originally published as LNP’s plan to reduce youth crime is nothing but a draconian disaster