Youth Koori Court facts for kids

The Youth Koori Court (YKC) is a special court in New South Wales, Australia. It helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. These are young people who have gotten into trouble with the law. The YKC works with the Children's Court of New South Wales. The first court started in Parramatta in 2015. More courts opened in Surry Hills (2019) and Dubbo (2022). Older Aboriginal community members, like elders, help young people connect with their culture.

What is the Youth Koori Court?

The word Koori means Aboriginal people from south-east Australia. This includes areas like Victoria and southern New South Wales. The Youth Koori Court brings together older Aboriginal community members. These include respected elders. They work with young Aboriginal people who have broken laws. The elders help guide and support these young people.

How the Court Started

Why the Youth Koori Court Was Created

The first Youth Koori Court began as a test program in Parramatta in 2015. It was started because too many Aboriginal young people were ending up in the criminal justice system in New South Wales.

Growing and Expanding

The test program worked well. So, it received money to become a permanent court. The court was seen as successful. In 2018, it got more money for another three years. Extra money was also given to help young people with caseworkers. These helpers support the young people who come to the court.

In 2018, the court grew bigger. A new court opened in Surry Hills on February 6, 2019. This court helps Indigenous youth in the center of Sydney. In July 2022, the first Youth Koori Court outside of a big city opened in Dubbo.

How the Youth Koori Court Works

The Youth Koori Court is part of the Children's Court of New South Wales. It has the same powers as the Children's Court. But it uses a different way to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. It also involves their families and the wider community.

Helping Young People

With help from elders and other respected community members, the court first looks at what might be causing problems. This could be things like not having a home, not going to school, or other health issues. These problems might be why a young person is getting into trouble.

The Support Plan

After finding the problems, a plan is made with the young person. This plan helps them deal with their issues. It also helps them connect more with their culture and community.

Monitoring Progress

The Youth Koori Court checks how the young person is doing with their plan. This happens over several months. The young person needs to come back to court a few times. This is to show their progress.

Final Decision

At the end of the process, the judge makes a decision. They consider all the steps the young person has taken to fix their problems. This helps the judge decide what is best for the young person.

A Different Path

This court offers a different path from the usual court system. It helps address the reasons why young Aboriginal people might be getting into trouble. These reasons can include not having good housing, not being in school, or not having a job.

A statement from 2018 said: "The Youth Koori Court brings Elders or respected Aboriginal community members, lawyers and police around a table to discuss the issues that may be impacting a young person's offending behaviour. It puts sensible, tailored plans in place for each offender to encourage connection with family, community and culture to stop anti-social behaviour from escalating. Participants have up to 12 months to complete the program and their performance is taken into account during the sentencing process."

What the Court Has Achieved

Studies by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show good results. Young people who went through the Youth Koori Court are about 40% less likely to go to prison. This is compared to those who go through the regular court system. Also, they are not more likely to get into trouble again.

See also

• Aboriginal Community Court, in Western Australia (2006–2015)
• Circle sentencing, also in New South Wales
• Community court
• Community court (Northern Territory) (2005–2012)
• Koori Court, in Victoria (2002–present)
• Murri Court, in Queensland (2002-2012, 2016–present)