Parents of young offenders speak up

FRUSTRATED Queensland parents have slammed a legal “loophole” which inhibits how they deal with their criminal children.

The Child Protection Act 1999 states that a child has the right to be protected from harm or risk of harm and that a child’s family has the primary responsibility for the child’s upbringing, protection and development.

But the parents of juvenile offenders say these rights are undermined when a child reaches the age of 12 and their wishes are “considered” by the courts.

An Ellen Grove mother says she has been forced to file missing person reports on her car-stealing son just so she is “guaranteed” a welfare check.

“Police have told me that if he looks in good health they can offer him a lift home but they can’t force him to come home,” she said.

This mother said there is a “loophole” in the youth justice system when a child is between the ages of 12 and 18.

“You do think that you are primarily responsible until 18 but it’s just not the case – you are really only primarily responsible until 12,” she said.

Asked about community backlash following a recent spate of crimes committed by juveniles the mother said: “I’ve had him arrested at home five times.”.

A Nudgee father-of-seven also says he feels completely powerless as his 13-year-old son has faced court multiple times for robbery-related offences. The boy has been charged more than 65 times over an 18-month period and has not spent a day in juvenile detention.

His siblings and wife are terrified, and his father is distraught. “I won’t take onus or condone him, I love my son... but I don’t love who he is right now,” the father said.

The father wants consequences for repeat offenders.