Western Australians deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets, in shopping centres, on public transport and in their communities.

This issue is not personal to me yet — and I sincerely hope it never becomes personal. But I do not believe we should wait until we, our children, our parents or someone we love becomes a victim before speaking up.

When a person is assaulted, robbed, attacked in their home or seriously injured, there is more than one victim. The consequences can affect parents, partners, children, friends and entire families. Physical injuries may heal, but the emotional trauma, fear, financial burden and loss of confidence can remain for years.

I am concerned about serious and repeat youth offending in Western Australia and whether the current system provides sufficient accountability, deterrence and protection for the community.

This petition is not about giving up on young people. Rehabilitation, education, family support, mental-health services, drug and alcohol treatment and opportunities to turn their lives around should remain important parts of our youth justice system.

But rehabilitation and accountability must go together.

For young people who commit serious violent offences or repeatedly offend despite previous interventions, there must be meaningful consequences proportionate to the seriousness of their actions.

We therefore call on the Western Australian Government and Parliament to strengthen the response to serious and repeat youth crime, including:

• stronger sentencing options for serious violent and persistent repeat offenders;
• stronger bail provisions where there is a demonstrated risk of serious reoffending;
• meaningful consequences for repeated breaches of bail and court orders;
• sufficient secure youth-detention capacity for serious offenders where detention is considered necessary by the courts;
• intensive rehabilitation, education, behavioural intervention and drug and alcohol treatment;
• stronger supervision and monitoring of serious repeat offenders following release;
• greater recognition, protection and support for victims and their families; and
• greater transparency around youth offending, reoffending, bail breaches and rehabilitation outcomes 

This is not about punishing every young person who makes a mistake. The response should remain proportionate to the offence and circumstances.

It is about drawing a clear line when offending becomes serious, violent or persistent, and ensuring that protecting innocent members of the community remains a fundamental responsibility of our justice system.

I do not want this issue to become personal before I speak up, and I don’t believe other Western Australians should have to wait until their family becomes a victim either.

When it comes to protecting our children, families and communities, it is better to be safe than sorry. We should act before another family becomes a victim, not after.

Please sign and share this petition if you believe Western Australia needs a stronger, fairer and more accountable response to serious and repeat youth crime.