Two academics relied on the Internet to co-ordinate a 'contemporary source book' on juvenile crime and justice in Australia, aimed at assisting national policy and program development.
Professor Ian O'Connor, head of the University's School of Social Work and Social Policy, spent two-and-a-half years researching and co-ordinatingJuvenile Crime, Justice & Corrections, published in July.
However, he said one of the most unusual challenges was co-ordinating the project across continents with the book's co-editor Professor Allan Borowski, from the University of New South Wales' School of Social Work, who spent 12 months as a visiting professor at the School of Social Work, Hebrew University of Jerusalem during the project.
'That was quite interesting, particularly given the size of the book. We relied heavily on email messages,' Professor O'Connor said.
'It's essentially a source book that brings together all the major writers in juvenile justice in Australia. Other books have tended to look at particular states or issues, but we wanted to cover all the issues, from prevalence of crimes to the appropriate responses.
'We hope it contributes to informed debate and assists policy and program-making development in terms of actual, not perceived, problems.'
Professor O'Connor said the book suggested equitable and effective societal responses to the very serious issue of juvenile crime.
He said it also addressed key areas of concern including child abuse, youth homelesness, and substance abuse, which had greatly contributed to the escalation of juvenile crime over the past 10 years.
Over that period, he said, the juvenile justice system had responded by 'getting tough' and emphasising punitive elements.
'The issue of juvenile crime is far more complex than simply saying getting tough will effectively respond to society's problems with juvenile crime,' he said.
'There is clear evidence that a range of social problems impact on young people - drug and alcohol abuse, lack of access to employment, disconnection from the labour market and disconnection from school - and make them more vulnerable to offending behavior.
'We really need to look at young people in their social and familial context, making sure we develop a society that is inclusive of young people. If your response to young people is to exclude them and marginalise them and say that they're a problem, then you actually escalate problems in relation to juvenile crime.'
Professor O'Connor said it was also important to realise that most juvenile crime cases involved one-time offenders, with research showing that two-thirds of young people who appeared in court never reappeared.
For further information, contact Professor O'Connor, telephone 3365 2507
