We recognise the importance of wrap-around therapeutic support to address the underlying causes behind the behaviour of children presenting to the criminal justice system. We know that therapeutic support reduces the likelihood of reoffending and decreases government expenditure in the long term.

We urge the government to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 and recognise the extensive research that has been conducted that supports this recommendation.

We believe that at its core, the diversion model should be therapeutic and eliminate contact with legal and criminal justice responses.

We look forward to further consultation and work being undertaken to develop the required services to support this model