By Aimee Lawson
The Children’s Court in Parramatta stands as a symbol of commitment to juvenile justice, striving to balance rehabilitation and accountability. It plays a critical role in the justice system, bridging the gap between children and adults entering the legal system and recognising the needs and vulnerabilities of young offenders. The court aims to not only hear individual cases but to provide a rehabilitative space for juvenile offenders so they can begin to reintegrate into society.
During my visit to this court as a law student, I felt the impact of the rehabilitative approach in the artwork throughout the court. Paintings lining the walls, painted by young Indigenous offenders who had used art as a tool to work through their issues and tell their stories.
Alongside its function to assist in rehabilitating and reintegrating juvenile offenders, the Children’s Court care and protection courts also support children and families with issues relating to the welfare and safety of children — placing them with foster families or exploring the chances of reunification of families, for example.
Children’s courts are an essential area of our legal system that play a significant role in ensuring that children's matters are treated in alignment with their own individual and collective needs. Children’s courts can provide a more trauma-informed approach to dealing with both young offenders and care and protection matters as they are working with and for the children to support them in the best way possible.
Needing to attend court can be a scary process for anyone, but the care that the judges and court staff possess when dealing with these delicate matters makes it easier for care and protection matters to be dealt with cautiously and makes the rehabilitative approach of the young offending courts more complete.
The Children’s Court was an emotional experience for not only me visiting, but also for all the children and families who have to appear. While there were many sad moments, they were contrasted by some heartwarming ones too. Seeing families broken apart and children leave with their forever families meant that a rollercoaster of emotions could be felt between two matters. There is an element of emotion to the way in which the court staff and judges approach their jobs as they also understand the emotional nature of the work they are doing and how its impact can change the trajectory of a child’s life. The youth in the courtroom often appear vulnerable, with a mixture of trepidation and uncertainty about the future. Parents, too, deal with a complex array of emotions, as some are there on a supportive basis to help their children rehabilitate and others are there facing the consequences of their own actions.
As an observer, the emotional impact is overwhelming. There's a sense of heartache witnessing the devastating nature of some families' experiences. Yet, there's also a glimmer of optimism, as the court system endeavours to provide guidance and support rather than simply deliver punitive measures. The emotional resonance lies in the delicate balance between holding juveniles accountable for their actions and affording them the opportunity for rehabilitation.
The Children's Court is a testament to our commitment to justice tempered with compassion. It is a space where the emotional impact is deeply felt, prompting reflection on the delicate balance between accountability and rehabilitation. In the Children's Court, empathy and understanding are as much a part of the proceedings as legal arguments and evidence. The realisation that these are young lives are at a crossroads, with the potential for transformation, evokes a profound emotional response. It underscores the importance of fostering an environment that encourages growth and learning rather than perpetuating a cycle of punishment.
As a law student, I took so much away from this experience. The level of trauma-informed care taken in supporting young people was incredible to see and has impacted the way I view working with and supporting children in the justice system. Seeing the dedicated staff who are passionate about their roles makes me feel excited for the opportunities I have as a law student to make a difference and support people experiencing disadvantage.