We are two distressed mothers whose14-year-old sons Ewan and Noah believe themselves invincible due to their MINOR status, a belief that has spurred them to run away, leaving us feeling helpless and desperate, as Queenslamd legislation states children from the age of 12 are not answerable to any authority. Sadly, they are not alone. A host of children and adolescents across our society share this belief, demonstrating a clear problem with our current juvenile justice system. Children as young as 12 years old have the right to "self place" however they are not held accountable for their choices and actions, creating a mindset of invincibility and thereby enhancing the likelihood of continuous delinquency. 

Our legal system favours the child and takes all control from parents. Instead it should set regulations that begin to hold children aged 12 and above accountable for their actions, not to push them into prisons but to provide them with a clear understanding of their responsibility for their choices and actions. There is a major gap between a wayward teen and a criminal.

The adolescent brain is a complex landscape of evolution and change. During these formative years, teenagers undergo significant neurological development, particularly in areas responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. It is no surprise then that many adolescents exhibit behaviors that seem reckless or misguided. As they navigate the tumultuous waters of adolescence, they are often unprepared to handle life’s pressures, leading some down a path toward delinquency.

Therefore, we should advocate for reform schools, institutions designed to educate and rehabilitate wayward children before they become entwined with the justice system and hardened criminals. It is a system that has shown success in numerous countries, helping children understand the consequences of their actions while offering them a second chance at life. 

It is crucial to understand that these changes are meant to help and not to hinder. Statistics prove that proper intervention at the right age can significantly reduce future delinquency. According to the US Department of Justice, children who enter the juvenile justice system before the age of 13 are much more likely to re-offend (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention). It's high time we rethink our approach and take action to amend the laws and establish accountability.

Please help us turn the tide of child and youth delinquency by signing this petition. Let's push for change and give our children a future where they understand the true value of their actions.

Please sign and share.  Thank you