News + Views

The CIJ advocates for a better justice system through a range of forums including media articles, opinion pieces, speeches and our blog. To request media comment, please contact RMIT Central Communications on +61 439 704 077.

News

Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

The CIJ has made a submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on current issues in the Victorian prison system.

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Media

Do mothers need better support in prison?

CIJ's Elena Campbell speaks on ABC - Melbourne's The Conversation Hour about the impacts of incarcerating women who have children.

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Blog

It’s my story. It’s your case, but it’s my story.

Interview Study: Exploring justice system experiences of complainants in sexual offence matters report released.

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Media

How do we make the justice system better for victims? This report offers some solutions

The study is the first of its kind in 27 years, and includes a range of solutions to help improve the justice system for victim/survivors of sexual assault.

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Media

Lawyers urged to be at forefront of change

Our Director, Rob Hulls, recently spoke at the Law Institute of Victoria's Criminal Law Conference.

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Media

Oscar Pistorius was jailed for Reeva Steenkamp’s murder, but her mum is still seeking justice

When the courts say justice is served, families caught in the middle often feel otherwise. The parents of murdered South African model Reeva Steenkamp explain what it would take to feel a sense of justice.

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Blog

New Family Violence Research Projects Announced

The CIJ is excited to have been awarded a research grant by Family Safety Victoria to explore the needs of unaccompanied children and young people seeking shelter as a result of family violence.

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Media

Combatting toxic masculinity and violence against women

Can we reprogram masculinity to remove its toxic aspects, or should we focus on harm minimization when it comes to gendered violence? And how can the media better report when it comes to male perpetrated violence towards women and children?

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Blog

Centre for Innovative Justice turns 10!

Over 100 staff, students and industry partners recently came together to celebrate the tenth anniversary of RMIT’s Centre for Innovative Justice (CIJ).

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Media

Would you meet with someone who has caused you or your family harm?

CIJ's Rob Hulls, Stan Winford and Nareeda Lewers speak on ABC - Melbourne's The Conversation Hour about the benefits of a restorative justice approach and how it can help victims find a voice & heal harm.

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Blog

Specialist Courts and Innovative Justice: a conversation with Rob Hulls

Rob sat down with Victoria Law Foundation's Executive Director Lynne Haultain to discuss the importance of innovative justice, holistic thinking and the specialist courts in Victoria.

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Blog

Busting myths about the criminal justice system

This resource provides information to address some common myths about the criminal justice system in Australia generally, and more specifically in the Victorian context.

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Students

Successful ‘first bounce’ for the Women’s SupPORT Pathways Project

LACW’s Women’s SupPORT Pathways Project is entering its second year in 2023, a project looking to support women and gender diverse people (aged 18 years and over who have experience of the criminal legal system or are at risk of experiencing the criminal legal system) to participate in their local Aussie Rules Footy club.

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Students

Student reflection piece by Master of Social Work Students, Genevieve and Lauren

Master of Social Work Students, Genevieve and Lauren on their placement at CIJ.

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Media

“They might want to tell their story their own way, not constrained by rules of evidence or legal processes”

Victims and people harmed by crime say restorative justice helped them heal, now there are calls to make it more available.

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Blog

$1.5m boost for innovative road trauma recovery program

The recovery journey of Victorians impacted by road trauma is set to be improved thanks to a ground-breaking new partnership between RMIT and the Transport Accident Commission.

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Blog

Better Together

On Friday 14th October 2022 CIJ staff Dorothy Armstrong and Emily Piggott presented at the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) ‘Better Together’ volunteer conference.

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Students

Student placement kicking goals

As students in the closing months of our Master of Social Work, we are currently undertaking our final placement at the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women (LACW), a community legal centre that provides legal and case management support for women with criminal matters and other legal issues such as child protection and VOCAT.

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Blog

New meets old as innovative justice moves into Melbourne’s Old Magistrates’ Court

Melbourne’s Old Magistrates’ Court, built on the site where high profile trials including those of bush-ranger Ned Kelly and 1920’s gangster ‘Squizzy” Taylor were held, is being re-energised with the arrival of RMIT’s Centre for Innovative Justice (CIJ).

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Blog

Innovative Justice in Aotearoa New Zealand

My recent visit to the Alcohol and other Drug Treatment Court (AODTC) in New Zealand confirmed absolutely that addressing the underlying causes of offending and providing holistic, wrap around support services for people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol is a much smarter way of delivering justice for defendants, victims and the community more generally.

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Blog

New report highlights benefits of early legal and social support for young people using violence in the home

The Report highlights that early, specialist legal and non-legal support and pre-court negotiations, often results in timely and effective outcomes for young people, reduces harmful contact with the justice system and improved safety for their families.

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Media

What’s next for a Charter of Rights post-election?

This webinar, hosted by the Human Rights Law Centre discusses the difference a National Charter of Human Rights can make to people’s lives.

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Blog

August 2022 Newsletter Stories

Scroll down to continue reading our full newsletter stories.

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