Good Holding Young Offenders Persuasive Speech

Picture this. As you mindlessly cross the road, you witness teenagers scrambling behind you armed with machetes, hammers, knives, and baseball bats aiming to attack you. You start to run away as your fight or flight triggers, but unfortunately, it isn’t enough as they ambush you with multiple stabs and leave you vulnerably bleeding in the bushes as they flee on with their lives and remain unidentified. This was the story of Chol Yai on February 18th, 2024. A few days later, as of March 2024, the Victorian Government have announced that the age of criminal responsibility will be raised from 10 to 14 in incremental stages, starting with 12 by the end of this year. On behalf of the whole state, I’d like to say, “I’m a skeptic”. BIG MISTAKE. Good

Keep in mind the young offenders I’m clarifying on are ultimately children and adolescents that we all were once before. They need all the learning and ethical education they can get as at the end of the day their minds aren’t fully developed physically. By teaching these skills, these young people can understand the real-world consequences of their actions. Including the lives that the victims must live with and the potential risk of committing the crime countlessly, which can therefore lead to endless convictions. Something no one wants, no matter what age you are. Treating them with leniency can inadvertently/subconsciously reinforce the notion that they are above the law or that their actions don’t have significant consequences for others around them and therefore lack independence and not take responsibility. Accountability is a fundamental aspect of personal development and social responsibility. On the contrary, adapting the idea of accountability can be coupled with comprehensive rehabilitation programs designed to address the possible root causes of criminal behaviour, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, and socio-economic factors. By placing youth in structured programs mandated by the court, we can offer them the support they need to reform while still holding them accountable for their actions. Research from The Australian Institute of

the lack of acknowledging their trauma and challenges speaks volumes about our state. Their justice is worth fixing from the potential lives or things they lost to criminals. Crime victims deserve to see their perpetrators held accountable in a manner commensurate with the harm they have been caused. When the legal system treats serious offenses by youth with insufficient gravity, it can leave victims feeling disregarded and diminish their faith in the justice system. Serious charges ensure that the victims' suffering is acknowledged, and that justice is served; exposing youth to more serious charges protects our community. Violent and repeat offenders pose a significant threat to public safety. Ensuring that these individuals face appropriate legal consequences can help prevent further harm. This goes deeper than just punishment. This is about safeguarding our communities from those who have demonstrated a willingness to engage in harmful and illegal