Jesuit Social Services

With the impacts of climate change being felt now in the NT and across Northern Australia broadly, there is urgent need for investment in community-based climate and disaster planning, particularly for Aboriginal communities.

Hear from Jesuit Social Services’ climate projects lead Dr Ned Bible, who joined ABC Alice Springs last week to discuss a new piece of climate scenario projection work from Climate Justice Alliance NT, and the climate action we want to see from the Northern Territory Government.

Jesuit Social Services is committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion and that creates a safe, respectful and welcoming community for LGBTQIA+ young people, today and every day.

Today is Wear It Purple Day – a day for us all to consider how we continue to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people: wearitpurple.org

Our CEO Julie Edwards spoke to
@heraldsunsport.bsky.social
last weekend about the effectiveness of the Victorian Government’s machete ban in addressing crime.

Read the full story: www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaus...

“Those of us in the community sector would like to see more concrete action taken in actual activity that’s required for intervening early. We hope the commissioner would support this,” David says.

Strategic projects lead David Murray joined ABC Statewide Radio last week to discuss the appointment of Victoria Police's new Chief Commissioner Mike Bush, and our hopes for how this appointment can support crime prevention approaches.

Read John's piece, published in the NT News on Sunday, here: jss.org.au/.../theres-a...

Jesuit Social Services General Manager – Northern Territory John Adams writes about the concerning state of the NT’s justice system.

“As (the NT Gov) lead us in a direction that criminalises poverty driven offending, there are no signs that the ‘youth crime crisis’ that propelled them to election victory is being solved. Instead, we are seeing police, courts & prisons stretched well beyond their limits."

The annual #ClosingTheGap report, published yesterday, demonstrates the need for Federal leadership to ensure vulnerable individuals, families and communities are supported to thrive.

Read our media release: jss.org.au/.../closing-...

Today is the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, commemorating the life and work of the founder of the Jesuits.

Read Andy Hamilton SJ's reflection on how St Ignatius Loyola continues to inspire and drive the work of Jesuit Social Services: jss.org.au/.../our.../f...

Rethinking intervention orders against children and teenagers Our new research shows that children and their families need support, not court.

Read the report here:
www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/rethinking-i...

She took part in an engaging discussion about the drivers of intervention orders against children and young people, their impact on children’s lives, and how we can support children and families to avoid legal processes.

Click through to read what Genevieve had to say.

Genevieve Higgins, Principal Restorative Practitioner – Lotjpadhan, joined a panel of experts at the launch of
@victorialegalaid.bsky.social's new report 'Feeling supported, not stuck: rethinking intervention orders for children and young people' late last week 👇

“As a social change organisation working directly with vulnerable people and communities, we see first-hand the impact of climate change in how it disrupts lives, exacerbates hardship and deepens cycles of disadvantage,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards.

Jesuit Social Services stands in solidarity with ACOSS and the community sector, signing onto a joint statement calling on the Federal Government to accelerate its plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, not 2050, in line with the latest science.

'How does this help?': Families fight intervention orders forced on their child A new report from Victoria Legal Aid reveals a rise in the number of children being placed on violence intervention orders, with some as young as 10 years old.

Concerns family intervention orders 'designed for adults' are being placed on young people - an important story about a new report by Victoria Legal Aid at ABC News: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

A Call For Climate Justice And The Common Home | Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat

We support a new joint statement published by Catholic bishops across Africa, Asia and Latin America, which is a prophetic and urgent call for justice ahead of COP 30 taking place in Brazil in November.

Read the full statement here: www.sjesjesuits.global/2025/07/06/a...

“This is about building a connection to self, to others, and to the natural world. It’s about offering carers the space and support they need to keep going—to put fuel back in the tank.”

How nature and connection are supporting carers in Melbourne’s west: jss.org.au/news-and-med...

Dom Alford, Manager Prevention in Communities at the Men’s Project, joined Radio National's Life Matters program alongside @michaelgflood.bsky.social to discuss the #girldad movement and what it means to be a father of girls.

Listen here: www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

In our submission we highlight the need and opportunity for the NSW Government to adopt a justice-centred approach within all climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Read the full submission: jss.org.au/.../submissi...

Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Net Zero Commission’s 2025 consultation process, as the Commission is shaping its work plan and developing the climate change and adaptation advice to be shared with the NSW Government 👇

Tune in to ABC Radio National tomorrow from 9am to hear Dom Alford, Manager Prevention in Communities at the Men’s Project join the Life Matters program for a discussion about masculinity in fatherhood.

Andy Hamilton SJ says NAIDOC Week calls on all of us who are committed to building a more just nation—one that acknowledges its historical and ongoing debts.

Read his full reflection: jss.org.au/news-and-med...

We urge the Territory Government to focus on evidence-based solutions to prevent crime from occurring in the first place, and to deal with children who do get into trouble, in a therapeutic way that supports them to turn their lives around.

Detention should only ever be used as a last resort, and wherever possible, young people should be supported in the community to address the underlying issues behind their offending and to take responsibility and make amends for their actions. Access to diversion is critical to these goals.

All the evidence show these changes will likely lead to higher rates of crime - not less - causing harm to the community. These laws will result in more children being removed from family, education and community, and resulting in them being more likely to re-offend.

NT youth crime law change to see kids ineligible for prison alternatives The NT government will rewrite youth crime laws this month to reclassify 13 offences as "serious", requiring children who commit them to attend court rather than go through youth diversion.

We are deeply disappointed that the Northern Territory Government has today announced plans to further restrict access to youth diversion – by expanding the list of offences that are no longer eligible.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

We’re proud to support this vital initiative as it transitions to become an independent Aboriginal organisation, creating a sustainable model for long-term change.