Arabic version: فيكتوريا ستُخطر ضحايا جرائم الأحداث بإفراج الجناة
According to ABC News, victims of Victoria’s most serious youth crimes will soon be able to apply for notifications when offenders are due to leave prison or face parole hearings. The measure, which takes effect on September 30, extends an existing register that currently provides information only about adult offenders.
Victoria had been the only state or territory without a registration system for youth-crime victims to receive such information. Eligible offences include murder, rape, home invasions, carjackings, serious sexual crimes and assault. Police have previously been able to share information at their discretion, while the Youth Parole Board considered requests case by case.
The changes will not apply retrospectively, leaving people affected by recent high-profile crimes unable to use the register. Natalie Gordon, whose brother Ash Gordon was killed during a 2024 home invasion, welcomed the reform but said victims and their families were not adequately acknowledged by the system. The offender is serving a 17-year sentence for murder, with a non-parole period of 12 years, and is appealing his conviction and sentence.
The reforms will also require the Youth Parole Board to place greater weight on families’ concerns in parole decisions. Minister for Victims Support Ros Spence said victims and survivors should not feel like an afterthought in the justice system. Jesuit Social Services chief executive Julie Edwards supported measures that help victims heal, while calling for restorative justice opportunities in which victims and young offenders agree to meet.
Other legislative changes taking effect at the end of the month will alter youth arrest procedures. Police will be directed to use the least invasive approach where possible and may take no action, issue a youth warning or caution, or commence criminal proceedings. Officers must consider the seriousness of an offence and reoffending, and record their reasons when deciding whether to arrest a teenager.
