Justice
VCOSS is committed to ensuring that all Victorians have equal access to justice. VCOSS works with, and advocates for, people who are disproportionately impacted by the justice system including women in prison, people with a mental illness, Indigenous people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and young people.
VCOSS produces an annual Crime and Imprisonment Data Report providing a snapshot of trends in imprisonment and crime in Victoria.
Each year VCOSS prepares numerous submissions to government including the annual State Budget Submission, co-ordinating community input and advocating for people experiencing disadvantage. Download the justice chapter of the VCOSS 2008-09 State Budget Submission.
In March 2005, the Federation of Community Legal Centres and VCOSS produced a report alleging a range of discriminatory practices against women in Victorian prisons, Request for a Systemic Review of Discrimination Against Women in Victorian Prisons. VCOSS and the Federation submitted this report to the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission, requesting that they undertake a systemic review of systemic discrimination against women in prison. In December 2006, the EOCV released their response to the report, Women and Imprisonment in Victoria. View the appendix.
In the lead-up to the Victorian state election in 2006, a coalition of organisations, including VCOSS, ran a community campaign, called Smart Justice which aimed to widen the debate about our justice system. It called on all political candidates and voters to support smart and workable initiatives aimed at tackling the causes of crime, at prevention, and exploring alternatives to custody. You can find out more about the project and access archives through the Smart Justice website.
VCOSS also participates in a number of external justice working groups, advisory committees and informal meetings, providing a community sector perspective to government, statutory bodies, legal and academic groups.
If you would like to find out more about VCOSS work on justice policy contact:
Stephanie Cauchi
stephanie.cauchi@vcoss.org.au