About the First Nations Justice Branch
The First Nations Justice Branch provides a central team for community consultation in the development and contract management of many of the justice related programs delivered to the ACT First Nations adult community.
Through consulting with our First Nations Community in developing programs and providing support to the community organisations delivering them, the First Nations Justice Branch seeks to:
- reduce the overincarceration of First Nations people in the ACT and the rate at which our people come into contact with the justice system
- partner with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to facilitate self-determination
- improve the ACT Government’s ability to hear and respond to Justice related concerns of the community; and
- provide positive cultural influence within the Justice and Community Safety Directorate.
The Branch works closely with Community to build capacity and achieve meaningful reforms that lead quickly to greater wellbeing for the community as a whole.
The Branch liaises with other parts of JACS and other directorates in relation to First Nations justice issues.
Contacting the Branch
General enquiries can be sent to our shared inbox at: jacsfirstnationsjusticeprograms@act.gov.au
Further Resources
- ACT Human Rights Commission
The ACT Human Rights Commission (HRC) promotes the human rights of all people living in the ACT. It handles complaints in relation to discrimination, racism, health, disability and community services and abuse of vulnerable people. It also advocates for children, young people and adults experiencing vulnerability as well as advocating for and supporting victims of crime
The HRC has a Cultural Safety Charter, Ngattai yeddung -Listen Good, which helps it to provide a safe, nurturing and positive environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are respected. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Adviser and internal and external reference groups assist the HRC to implement the Charter.
The HRC also has an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victim Support Outreach Program, which promotes understanding of and use of victims’ rights within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the ACT. - Restorative Justice Unit
Restorative Justice (RJ) helps people impacted by crime to journey away from harm towards healing. A RJ conference is a conversation between people most affected by an offence and provides an opportunity for a person harmed by crime to hold the person responsible accountable, to have any questions they might have answered, or concerns addressed, and to have the person responsible take steps to address the harm they’ve caused. For a person responsible, it’s an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions in a non-stigmatising environment and to be involved in making things right. RJ recognises that crime ripples beyond a ‘victim’ and an ‘offender’ and so participants are encouraged to include supportive friends or family in the process as well.
If you have been harmed by a criminal offence, or you have been charged or convicted of a criminal offence you can contact the Restorative Justice Unit (RJ Unit) to see if RJ is right for you.
A crime can be referred to the RJ Unit:
- Instead of going to court – by the police or the Director of Public Prosecutions
- As well as going to court – by a magistrate or judge from an ACT court
- After sentencing – by ACT Corrective Services, Child and Youth Protection Services, the Sentencing Administration Board
Referrals can also be made by Victim Support ACT, and in soe cases you can refer yourself by contacting the RJ Unit.
Restorative Justice (RJ) can take place for all ACT offences where someone has been harmed, including minor and more serious offences like family violence and sexual violence.
In the ACT, First Nations peoples are more likely to experience violence or to have contact with the criminal justice system than non-Indigenous people. The RJU is committed to using restorative justice (RJ) to help break cycles of trauma, and to provide pathways for meaningful and respectful communication between First Nations peoples and with non-Indigenous Australians in our community.
First Nations people referred to RJ have a choice to work with an Indigenous Guidance Partner (IGP) and Indigenous Convenor. The IGP is a support person who can help you and your mob through the RJ process from start to finish. They can be your main contact and can work with you if you have been harmed or if you have caused harm. Some things the IGP can do include:
- Go to RJ meetings with you
- Help you get to RJ meetings
- Sit with you when meeting the RJ Convenor
- Help you get ready for an RJ conference
- Be with you at face-to-face or indirect conferences
- Help you to complete agreed tasks
- Support you at court
