Summary of Yoorrook Justice Commission Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems

The second report of the Yoorrook Justice Commission focuses on the past and ongoing systemic injustice experienced by First Nations communities within Victoria’s child protection and criminal justice systems.

Structure of the report

The report is divided into seven parts:

Part A includes the Letter of Transmission, Chairperson’s foreword, and a brief introduction to the report’s methodology and terminology.

Part B includes an Executive Summary, list of recommendations and key facts.

Part C examines the historical foundations of the child protection and criminal justice systems.

It then goes on to discuss matters for Treaty in relation to child protection and criminal justice.

Part C concludes by examining consistent themes in evidence to Yoorrook that span both the child protection and criminal justice systems. Whole of government recommendations to address these issues are made.

Part D examines critical issues in the child protection system.

Part E adopts a similar approach to the criminal justice system. Following a brief overview, each of the major parts of that system are considered. Key systemic injustices are identified, findings made, and recommendations for urgent action put forward.

Part F considers other issues that have arisen during this stage of Yoorrook’s work, including legislative barriers to Yoorrook properly fulfilling its truth-telling mandate.

Part G contains appendices to the report, including a list of witnesses and a glossary. Further information relating to the child protection and criminal justice systems is also provided.

To download/read the full summary of the Yoorrook report, click here.

Kinship Care Week

A week to acknowledge the role kinship carers play in raising many of Victoria’s children and to celebrate kinship carers in the community.