The Department of Human Services has announced that the victims of crimes committed by a young person can now register online to be kept informed about their offender’s sentence.
Minister for Human Services, Michelle Lensink said improvements to the Youth Justice Victims Register made it easier for victims to have their voices heard, stay informed and get connected to support services.
Ms Lensink said victims on the Register could find out about the young person’s sentence; the place where the young person was in detention; if the young person moved from one Youth Justice Centre to another; the release date from detention and any conditions; if a young person had tried to escape from custody; and if the young person was sentenced on Home Detention near their home.
“By introducing simple changes to the register – including enabling online registration and new plain English information materials to explain how the system works – it is now easier than ever for victims to access its benefits,” Ms Lensink said.
She said victims on the Register could also give information, similar to a victim impact statement, to the Training Centre Review Board if the board met to consider matters about the young person who offended, such as a change in location or potential release.
“All victims of crime – including crime committed by a young person – have the right to feel safe and respected,” Ms Lensink said.
She said the Register was managed by the Department of Human Services, with all information kept strictly confidential.
Ms Lensink said the improved Register was delivered as part of Young People Connected, Communities Protected: South Australia’s Youth Justice State Plan 2020-2023.
She said the Register was specifically for crimes committed by a young person under the age of 18 where the young person was sentenced to detention, home detention or imprisonment.
Ms Lensink said the Department for Correctional Services also maintained a register of victims for people where the offender was over 18 years.
The Register can be accessed at this PS News link, the 43-page Young People Connected, Communities Protected: South Australia’s Youth Justice State Plan 2020-2023 at this link, and the 16-page Plan Progress Update at this link.
