Aboriginal Young People in the Children's Court of Western Australia: Findings from the National Assessment of Australian Children's Courts

Abstract

This article presents the findings of recent research involving stakeholders in the Children's Court of Western Australia (CCWA). This research found that the needs of Aboriginal children and their families are not being properly addressed due to resource deficiencies, especially in rural and remote areas. There was a clear awareness that the CCWA is responding to behavioural symptoms of disenfranchisement and poverty amongst Aboriginal people, and that solving these deeply embedded systemic issues was beyond the scope of the CCWA. The urgent need to address systemic issues in an inclusive and empowering way was also identified.

Keywords: young people, courts, Western Australia, Indigenous, Aboriginal, crime, youth, care and protection