Led by ADI’s Professor Stephane Shepherd, an expert in Forensic Psychology and Criminology at Deakin University, the network aims to address contemporary drivers of justice involvement and develop strength-based solutions, particularly for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. 

“Our goal is to create a supportive environment where young people can thrive, regardless of their background. By working closely with community partners and leveraging our multidisciplinary expertise, we aim to develop practical, culturally responsive solutions that address the root causes of justice involvement and support young people at every stage of their journey,” Professor Shepherd said. 

Deakin Distinguished Professor Fethi Mansouri, founding Director of ADI, said the network heralds a new era in addressing youth justice issues, particularly for migrant communities. 

“By identifying, developing and evaluating evidence-based solutions at various touch points across a young person’s life—from early intervention to post-release support—we aim to create holistic models of support,” Professor Mansouri said. 

The network’s multi-disciplinary team includes internationally recognised researchers and professionals with both lived experience and academic expertise in youth justice, forensic psychology, social work, legal studies, criminology, migration and multicultural studies. 

Professor Shepherd highlighted, “Our multidisciplinary team brings together a wealth of knowledge and lived experience, allowing us to approach youth justice issues from multiple perspectives. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for developing effective, evidence-based solutions that are both practical and culturally responsive”. 

The JYC Network is already making remarkable progress with multiple impactful projects underway. These include projects funded by the Department of Justice, focusing on pathways into the justice system and effective programming for African diasporic and Pasifika populations, identifying pathways in and out of the youth justice system and developing effective culturally responsive interventions, evaluating CMY Lived Experience Mentoring Programming and co-designing roundtables and communities of practice for CALD populations. 

The Paul Ramsay Foundation is funding the evaluation of the Afri-Auscare program. Additionally, the Department of Education is funding a project to identify the educational needs of African-Australian young people. 

The JYC Research Network represents a significant step forward in addressing the complex issues faced by justice-involved young people. By leveraging interdisciplinary expertise and community collaboration, the network aims to create meaningful, evidence-based solutions that support young people and their families in reaching their full potential. 

“By addressing the root causes of justice involvement and developing culturally responsive interventions, we aim to transform the lives of young people and their families. This network positions us at the forefront of youth justice reform, ensuring that our research leads to real-world change and empowers communities across Australia,” said Professor Shepherd.