Launch of the CIJ’s ‘Leaving custody behind'

Join us for the online launch by the Hon Natalie Hutchins, Victoria’s Minister for Corrections along with an expert panel discussion.

Australia is locking up women in increasing numbers. In Victoria, the rate at which women are being imprisoned, especially Aboriginal women, has risen sharply in recent years and is increasing at a faster rate than for men.

The CIJ’s Issues Paper, ‘Leaving custody behind: Foundations for safer communities & gender-informed criminal justice systems’, draws together evidence about women’s involvement in the criminal justice system and the factors behind the escalating female imprisonment rate in Victoria. It highlights the disproportionate harm caused by the incarceration of women and the urgent need to find alternatives that better meet human rights standards. 

The official launch of the paper by the Hon Natalie Hutchins, Victoria’s Minister for Corrections will be followed by an overview of key findings and discussion by an expert panel of front line agencies, prison reform advocates and the CIJ’s Peer Support Worker, a woman with lived experience of the justice system.

Panelists

  • Mindy Sotiri, the Justice Reform Initiative
  • Dorothy Armstrong, Adviser and Peer Support Worker, Centre for Innovative Justice
  • Antoinette Braybrook, CEO, Djirra (formerly the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service)
  • Elena Pappas, CEO, the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women
  • Elisa Buggy, Executive Officer at Flat Out Inc.

MC and facilitator: Rob Hulls and Elena Campbell, Centre for Innovative Justice

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.