Bail failing: legal services warn against tighter laws
Restricting bail and increasing penalties do not work to reduce crime, legal experts say, as 'tough on crime' measures continue to sweep across Australia.
children
Drop in kids going to jail prompts controversial review
A landmark High Court ruling on criminal responsibility for children has led to a drop in the number of kids found guilty amid calls to tackle youth crime.
Teacher accused of grooming has all charges dropped
A prosecutor has dropped all charges against a female teacher previously accused of grooming a student nearly 15 months after she was ordered to stand trial.
Dance industry stepping into new era of safety for kids
Child safety has long been a major issue for the dance industry but an innovative program could help studios keep kids safe and comply with tougher laws.
Doin’ it for the kids: PM’s pride in childcare legacy
The prime minister touted the government's childcare reforms as he targeted a marginal Liberal-held seat in Brisbane's east.
‘Taboo fiction’ author can’t hide in child abuse case
A Christian charity's marketing executive facing child abuse charges over her book Daddy's Little Toy has lost a bid to shield her identity from the public.
‘Profound anguish’: tears for boys killed in crash
The families of two boys killed in a horror crash shared their "immeasurable grief" and broke down in tears as the driver responsible learned his fate.
Deluded boy faces decade in custody for mum’s murder
A teenager who murdered his caring mother in cold blood as part of a deluded plan to take over Australia will spend at least 10 years behind bars.
Teenager alleges human rights abuse in watch house
Children should not be held in watch houses for more than 24 hours, a report has found, after a boy was allegedly deprived of his basic human rights.
Woman accused of torturing girl seeks medical evidence
A woman accused of torturing and neglecting a four-year-old girl needs time for her solicitor to review "quite voluminous" police evidence, a magistrate heard.
Incarceration crisis: youth laws to face UN scrutiny
Australia's juvenile justice system could come under international scrutiny as one state seeks to make its youth crime laws even tougher.
Alarm raised as tough on crime policy ‘infects’ nation
Incarcerating children increases crime, legal advocates say, as they raise concern about the youth justice reforms "infecting" the country.
Female teacher admits ongoing sex abuse of child
A female teacher used her friendship with a 12-year-old female to manipulate them into being sexually abused at school and other locations over multiple years.
Cross-party nod for probe into ‘rogue’ childcare firms
Shocking claims of rampant child mistreatment in privately operated centres have triggered a government-backed inquiry into the early education sector.
Woman tortured, neglected young girl for months: police
Police have alleged a woman assaulted, tortured and neglected a four-year old girl over, leaving her with bruising, burns, fractures and disfigurement.
Child removal ‘deepening wounds’ in Indigenous families
First Nations children in one state are 20 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous kids, a report from Human Rights Watch has found.
Youth crime crackdown all ‘hammer’ on troubled kids
Spiking youth crime is being used to justify harsher proposed bail laws in a state some argue is neglecting its responsibility as legal guardian to many.
‘A risk’: Australia’s youngest murderer to be set free
One of Australia's most notorious killers is considered a risk of planning a violent revenge, but he will still be given another chance to be in the community.
‘I’ll never forgive’: survivor, as boys’ killer jailed
A large sentence discount has been awarded to a man behind the deaths of two young brothers, found in a crumpled car still dressed in their school uniforms.
Teens charged with rape, armed robbery in brutal attack
Three teenagers are accused of breaking into a home in Cairns, holding a couple at knife-point and sexually assaulting a woman.
Woman spared jail over ‘disgusting’ sexual abuse of boy
A woman helped her violent and abusive partner give methamphetamine to a 13-year-old boy before the couple sexually assaulted him, a judge has heard.
Operator ‘hung out to dry’ by Hillcrest castle maker
A 'dust devil' that lifted a jumping castle into the air, killing six primary school children, could not have been foreseen, a court has been told.
‘Living in cardboard box’: child deaths under review
A report into dozens of child deaths has indicated kids were being lost in a state's residential care system that had "forgotten how to care".
Stolen generations need support ‘before it’s too late’
Ageing stolen generations survivors need urgent action to ensure they can live out the remainder of their lives in dignity, advocates say.
Longer youth bail crackdown ‘training kids for crime’
A temporary crackdown aimed at curbing violent youth crime will be extended for three years in a decision that critics say will do nothing to reduce offending.
Kids have ‘no hope’ with tough on crime policies
Tough on crime policies do not work, a senate inquiry has been told as advocates call for oversight of state and territory youth justice legislation.
Young trans patients denied hormone therapy amid probe
Critics slam a state government's suspension of hormone therapies for young trans patients amid a probe, saying it will cause "immeasurable trauma".
Massive brawl before two boys shot in ‘horrific’ attack
Police are investigating youth gang links after two teens were shot following a street brawl involving dozens of young people.
Warning to parents after dingo attacks four-year-old
Rangers are urging parents to be vigilant after a dingo attacked a four-year-old at a popular Queensland tourist destination.
Two-year-old bitten in second dingo attack in two days
Two people have been bitten by dingoes in separate attacks at a popular tourist destination during the busy Australia Day long weekend.
Dead nine-year-old suffered ‘significant’ head injury
Police allege a nine-year-old boy had been in the care of a 24-year-old woman at the time of his death, as she faced court on one charge of murder.