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Victorian government website
State Government of Victoria, Australia, Department of Human Services
Children, Youth and Families
Children, Youth and Families

Youth Justice

The Victorian youth justice program works with young offenders aged between 10 and 20 years.

Our mission is:

To ensure care, custody and supervision for young offenders through the provision of programs which will assist them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to manage their lives effectively without further offending and to provide mechanisms, resources and direction to achieve this.

In the context of the legislation and through the provision of quality community-based supervision and support programs, to promote the personal development of young offenders and contribute to the reduction of crime in the community.

Victoria's three-pronged Reform Strategy aims to prevent low risk young people from entering the criminal justice system, rehabilitate more serious young offenders and support them to establish crime-free lifestyles after their release.

A Balanced Approach to Juvenile Justice in Victoria [PDF 100kb]