Formal contact with police
2,144 NSW children aged 10-13 had formal contact with police in 2023. 171 of these kids spent time in lock up. Almost all these children were on remand.
Lock up & isolation
In 2023/24 the very young children who were locked up were put in isolation 172 times
60% First Nations
60% of the 10-13 year-olds in custody every year are First Nations children.
We are criminalising the most disadvantaged children
- They have significant contact with child protection systems, including being removed from their families.
- They have been victims of crime when they were very young.
- They are kids with disabilities and mental health issues.
- They are not attending or are not doing well at school.
- Many live in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW without access to services and support.
- Often their parents have been though the system including in custody.
- They are likely to live in poverty and experience homelessness.
The NSW Raise the Age campaign is one of many across Australia. For more information visit the national campaign web site.
