Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System Supplementary Submission
On 5 July 2019, VALS made a submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. This is a supplementary submission to assist the Commission, specifically focusing on the following of the Royal Commission’s Terms of Reference: 4. How to improve mental health outcomes, taking into account best practice and person-centred treatment and care […]
The COVID-19 outbreak should be undertaken by professional cleaning staff, who have access to PPE
The crucial and high-risk job of cleaning prisons to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak should be undertaken by professional cleaning staff, who have access to PPE MEDIA RELEASE 10 August 2020 VALS is highly concerned by reports that people detained in prison are undertaking the high-risk work of cleaning common areas of prisons; that they have […]
The VALS website is being updated
The update process will be completed by 5pm on the 5th of August. If you need to contact VALS, please call us on 1800 064 865
VALS calls for human rights compliant response to Covid-19 case in Melbourne prison
VALS calls for a human rights compliant, health driven government response to confirmed covid-19 case in Melbourne prison VALS understands that a recently detained person in a Melbourne prison has been diagnosed as COVID-19 positive. We have been advised that the person is being provided with medical care and is currently in protective quarantine. The […]
VALS Calls Victorian Government to Raise the Age of Criminal Responsibility to 14
Today, the Council of Attorneys-General decided not to raise the age of criminal responsibility. This is despite research from the Australia Institute and Change the Record that shows that most Australians agree children as young as 10 years old do not belong in prison, and that Australia’s age of criminal responsibility should be increased from […]
A ‘leading’ youth justice system is one where children under 14 are not imprisoned
The Victorian Government’s new Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020-2030 contains some strong elements that will have a positive impact on the lives of children in Victoria. However, Smart Justice for Young People, a coalition of social services, health, legal, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, youth advocacy organisations and academic experts, are calling for the Victorian […]
VALS outraged by death in custody of proud Yorta Yorta woman
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) would like to express its sincere condolences and support to the family, friends and community of Veronica Marie Nelson Walker, a proud Yorta Yorta woman who passed away in Dame Phyllis Front Centre on Thursday 2nd January 2020. We are outraged by this death and tragic loss. Full statement […]
SEAAJSL / VALS Annual General Meeting Communique
On Friday the 20th of December 2019 the South Eastern Australian Aboriginal Justice Services Limited (trading as the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service) held their Annual General Meeting. Below is a communique of the outcomes of the meeting. SEAAJSL | VALS Annual General Meeting Communique