Ordinary people in general, and health practitioners in particular, have a picture of normal development. They draw attention to anything deemed “not normal”. Medical science has the task of describing and measuring the abnormality and seeking an explanation, as a prelude for treatment and prevention. It is a never-ending process. A developmental disorder that has........

Victoria’s new bail laws risk making the state’s crime problem worse by increasing the chances of young people reoffending, the state’s outgoing children’s commissioner has warned. Liana Buchanan, who finishes up next week as Victoria’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, told The Age she had witnessed major improvements during her nine years in the........

A new way of dealing with young offenders is working wonders. The young gang member is in hospital waiting to be treated for a knife wound. Even though he is still bleeding, he is on his phone to mates. “He is already plotting his revenge,” says youth crime expert Karyn McCluskey. The next voice he........

YOUTH CRIME WAVE NEEDS A STRONG COMMUNITY RESPONSE The Crime Statistics Agency reported a one third increase in offences by children aged between 10 and 13 last year. News reporting of home invasions, armed robberies and high-speed chases of stolen cars involving young people are an almost daily occurrence. It is clear that a strong........

Three out of four children in Victoria’s care system are not finishing high school, and they are five times more likely to be suspended or expelled, with the children’s commissioner warning that Victoria is not the education state for all children. An investigation into the school system by the Commission for Children and Young People........

The recent MHYFVic Annual General Meeting was fortunate to have had a presentation by Deputy Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Paul Robertson, outlining the changes for young people stemming from the recommendations of the Royal Commission. The full scope of the presentation can be viewed by downloading the pdf. However, this commentary focuses on the particular issue........