Targeting ‘zero’ to address criminalisation and overrepresentation of multicultural young people
CMY is proud to announce our support of an important new project; TARGET ZER0. This project has been established with the bold and ambitious objective to eradicate youth criminalisation and the overrepresentation of multicultural young people in the justice system.
Specifically, TARGET ZER0 aims to address the criminalisation and the overrepresentation of young people of First Nations, African, and Pasifika backgrounds, and those living in residential care in the justice system. The project is supporting this work in local government areas of Brimbank, Melton and Wyndham in Victoria.
“The overrepresentation of First Nations and multicultural young people in the Victorian justice system is something that must concern all of us.”
Carmel Guerra, CMY CEO
CMY is committed to progressing action on this important issue. In October 2021, we released our position statement on youth justice, and briefing paper – Uneven justice: Addressing multicultural youth overrepresentation in the Victorian Youth Justice System – in a welcome online event.
For TARGET ZER0, CMY joins an impressive list of organisations that have committed to achieving zero criminalisation and overrepresentation, including; WEstJustice, Western RAJAC, Whitelion, Jesuit Social Services (JSS), Anglicare Victoria, Victoria University, Wyndham Community Education Centre, CommUnity Plus, Youth Support Advocacy Service, Youthlaw, and Youth Junction Inc.
“CMY believes that by truly acting collectively in partnership with communities and young people we can finally drive overrepresentation down to zero. Target Zero is an incredibly important step forward toward that goal and we are proud to be a part of it”
Carmel Guerra, CMY CEO
TARGET ZER0 supports an approach to youth criminalisation and overrepresentation of multicultural young people that is different, holding the premise that ‘overrepresentation will no longer be accepted’ central. To achieve project goals, TARGET ZER0 calls for the commitment and wisdom from a range of actors across community, government and non-government organisation sectors.
Watch this space for more action and progress through TARGET ZER0.
Read the media release here, and watch the launch video here: https://vimeo.com/649817615