Supporting Young People in Police Interviews

Project Status:

Tabled in parliament

Start Date:

01/06/2009

Tabled in Parliament Date:

N/A

Reference

This Community Law Reform Project came out of an approach in 2008 by the Youth Referal and Independent Person Program (YRIPP), the Centre for Multicultural Youth, and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria. They argued there was a lack of clarity in the law concerning supporting young people in police interviews, especially the role of independent persons brought in when the young person’s parent or guardian is unable to attend.

In July 2009, the Commission released a background paper explaining current law and practice. Subsequently, it conducted 33 consultations and received 24 submissions.

The report released on 29 June 2011 contained 24 recommendations, in particular, a call for the expansion of the successful YRIPP pilot scheme throughout the state. It also recommended that legislation clearly describe the role of independent persons and detail the consequences of failing to arrange for an independent person to attend an interview.

Community Law Reform Projects are conducted in accordance with section 5(1)(b) of the Victorian Law Reform Commission Act 2000 (Vic), which empowers the Commission to initiate inquiries of general community concern, provided they are limited in size and scope. More about Community Law Reform can be found here.

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Project Stage

  • Terms of reference received
  • Submissions and consultations
  • Submissions closed
  • Final Report
  • Tabled in parliament

Publications

Publication Date

29/06/2011

The report released on 29 June 2011 contained 24 recommendations, in particular, a call for the expansion of the successful YRIPP pilot scheme throughout the state. It also recommended that legislation clearly describe the role of independent persons and detail the consequences of failing to arrange for an independent person… Read more