Ms Shona Reid1
1Office of The Guardian for Children and Young People, Adelaide, Australia
Biography:
Eastern Arrernte woman, Shona Reid, is South Australia’s Guardian for Children and Young People and Training Centre Visitor. Shona is appointed to promote and advocate for the rights of children and young people in care and youth detention. With over 15 years’ experience working across the child protection, young offending and the out-of-home care sector, she has devoted her knowledge, experience, professional and personal life to the advancement and rights of Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities.
Abstract:
“I believe [kids] should be put into a rehabilitation detention centre. Not like this, but more so to encourage them and show them like that they’re loved”
Young person in detention
In 2024, children and young people involved in the criminal justice system attract constant attention, scrutiny and criticism; in mainstream media, on social media and in community forums and debate. Solutions to improve therapeutic approaches to address criminogenic behaviours and risk factors – or fixing ‘youth crime’ – are a high priority topic for all levels of government. Yet, in law and justice reform, there is very little attention given to the most authoritative source on the topic; those children and young people who are or have been involved in youth justice.
Responding to this missing piece of the puzzle in youth justice reform, From those who know (May 2024) published the direct voices, knowledge and experience of 27 children and young people detained at the Adelaide Youth Training Centre, on a topic they know better than anyone: the minimum age of criminal responsibility. The Guardian and Training Centre Visitor delved into the expert opinions of children and young people, who talked about everything ranging from the trauma of police arrests, through to understanding court processes and what it means to access real rehabilitation.
These views and voices, as expressed by young people, contain vital insights into the therapeutic interventions and approaches they truly need. Trusted with these words, they are presented as unaltered as possible.