Centre for Innovative Justice
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Centre for Innovative Justice
@innovativejustice.bsky.social
29 followers 4 following 110 posts
Based at RMIT, the CIJ's objective is to develop, drive and expand the capacity of the justice system to meet and adapt to the needs of its diverse users by conducting rigorous research which focuses on having impact.
www.cij.org.au
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As we mark the anniversary of the first Mardi Gras and reflect on this year’s theme Love. Respect. Empower., we honour the courage of those who stood up then, and recognise the responsibility we all share to continue that work now.

#Pride
46 years ago today, LGBTQIA+ people and allies took to the streets of Sydney to demand visibility, dignity and human rights. As we mark the anniversary of the first Mardi Gras, we honour the courage of those who stood up then, and recognise the responsibility we all share to continue that work now.
June 24, 2025 at 6:55 AM
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As we mark National Reconciliation Week 2025, we reflect on this year’s theme: “Bridging Now to Next” — a call to carry the truth of our shared history forward together as we work collaboratively towards a more just, respectful, and inclusive future.

#NRW25 #ReconciliationWeek
National Reconciliation Week 2025, Bridging now to next 27 May - 3 June reconciliation.org.au
May 27, 2025 at 3:38 AM
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Have no plans after work tomorrow? You do now.

Justice and COVID: Five Years On is set to be an unmissable evening of sharp insights, bold ideas and powerful discussion, all before dinnertime.

#rmituniversity #VictorianLawWeek
Justice & COVID: Five years on, happening tomorrow. Where? Building 80/435-457 Swanston St, Melbourne. When? Doors 530pm, Event 6-730pm, Networking & Nibbles Until 8pm. Attend? In person & Online via Teams. Register now via Eventbrite at bit.ly/justiceandcovid Panellists The incredible panellists reflecting on what worked during the pandemic and the shift to online operations across the justice system, what didn’t, and what should come next, are none other than: Host: Elena Campbell - Associate Director, Centre for Innovative Justice Lorraine Finlay - Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission Beth McCann – Director, Centre of Family Research and Evaluation, Drummond Street Services Elena Pappas – CEO of Law and Advocacy Centre for Women (LACW) Louise Anderson – CEO of Court Services Victoria
May 20, 2025 at 2:23 AM
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Happy Victorian Law Week!
It is finally here, and we’re excited to share that Justice and COVID: Five Years On just got even better for those of you able to join us in person! To help you get the most out of this event, we’ve added the chance to connect with others before and after the discussion.
Justice & COVID Five Years On Networking & Nibbles Come early or stay late, and make the most of the opportunity to connect with professionals across various industries, aspirational students and passionate community members. Doors from 530pm, Event 6-730pm, Networking & Nibbles until 8pm.
May 19, 2025 at 1:27 AM
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Streamed live from TAC headquarters, our panel for Road Trauma & Restorative Justice includes:
✨Host: Rob Hulls CIJ Director & former Attorney General
✨An individual with lived experience of road trauma and the restorative justice program offered through TAC and Open Circle

#VictorianLawWeek2025
Panellists Announced! This thought-provoking event brings together a group of individuals with rich and diverse backgrounds. Your Host: Rob Hulls, CIJ Director and former Attorney General Renee Handsaker- Principal Convenor at CIJ’s Open Circle Daina Flynn - Restorative Justice Initiative Lead at TAC An individual with lived experience of road trauma and the restorative justice program offered through TAC and Open Circle Where? Live stream online When? 1pm-2pm Register online today! bit.ly/road-trauma-and-rj
May 15, 2025 at 2:11 AM
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Yesterday was #YouthHomelessnessMattersDay - but this issue demands national attention and action every day of the year.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), in 2023-24 over 43,000 children and young people presented alone to specialist homelessness services.
In 2023-24 over 43,000 children and young people presented alone at specialist homeless-ness services in a single year
April 17, 2025 at 1:23 AM
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The CIJ are currently looking for our next Manager, Innovation and Impact to support our Associate Director of Research, Innovation and Reform.

Read all about it and submit your application here rmit.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/RMIT_Careers...
Position Available Manager, Innovation and Impact Applications Close 27 April
April 8, 2025 at 5:48 AM
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For everyone attending the Centre for Through Children's Eyes conference on children and young people in NSW today, be sure to catch the CIJ's Elena Campbell's talk.
March 19, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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You can read the full Open Letter at www.vals.org.au/bail-saves-l...
9. Listen to and implement the recommendations of significant previous inquires including the Yoorrook for Justice Report and CCYP’s Always Was, Always Will be Koori Children, Our Youth, Our Way, In Our Own Words and Out of Sight reports as a matter of urgency. 10. To address driving factors of reoffending, the government must effectively fund and invest in: a. Intensive bail supervision and supports, including Aboriginal led models, to support alleged offenders to successfully fulfil their bail conditions and address the causes of their offending. b. Aboriginal led therapeutic and specialist family violence supports and services, including access to legal supports that are based within communities. It's a sad day in the colony to have to yet again advocate for Victoria's bail laws to be safer and not discriminate against our community. Premier, it is in fact these measures that will be part of your legacy of mistakes. Your proposed bail laws will mark a dark stain in Victoria's history, where you clearly haven't learnt from past mistakes and instead seek to entrench and criminalise our people. We are standing strong, continuing our fight for Poccum's Law to honour Veronica Nelson and all those who have passed away in custody, to all those who have wasted away in prison without support, without a way out. The fight is not over. No justice, no peace. - Nerita Waight, CEO of VALS I love my daughter Veronica because of harsh and discriminatory bail laws. Without her, the 2023 bail reforms would not have happened, and because of Poccum's Law we created a safer bail system for all Victorians. The Premier has now called these reforms a mistake, which is such an insult to my daughter's memory. Returning to discriminatory legislation towards our people will undoubtedly result in another mother loosing their child. - Aunty Donna Nelson, mother of Veronica
March 18, 2025 at 12:43 AM
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Nearly a hundred organisations, including the CIJ, have signed onto an open letter drafted by the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service condemning the Government's proposed changes to bail laws.
Bail Saves Lives Poccum's Law is the Way Forward We strongly condemn the suite of knee-jerk bail changes announced by the Allan government which we know will lead to greater criminalisation of Aboriginal communities and other marginalised communities. Any bail reform must align with, and not detract from, Poccum's Law. 1. Do not amend bail laws for children or adults until a full statutory review can take place in 2026 that considers longitudinal data and assesses the systemic impact of Victoria’s bail laws. 2. Ensure any bail reform aligns with Poccum’s Law. 3. Immediately make further investment in therapeutic bail support options, which will improve community safety. 4. Do not reinstate double uplift, to ensure people are not locked up on remand for offences unlikely to result in imprisonment. 5. Exclude non-violent and summary offences from any legislative changes that further restrict access to bail. 6. Expand the jurisdiction of the Koori Court to hear bail applications. 7. Ensure any amendments to existing bail laws do not prevent children and young people from accessing therapeutic and rehabilitative supports within the community. 8. Adopt the caution model in the Youth Justice Act for adults, as a mechanism to address alleged offending connected to poverty, mental health, disability and homelessness.
March 18, 2025 at 12:43 AM
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Late last week the ALRC released its report on justice responses to sexual violence. Even with diverse justice options available, the criminal justice system should be available to survivors without risk of re-traumatisation.
“[We] heard many distressing accounts about reporting sexual violence to police, including that the reporting process was dehumanising and degrading... lacking in empathy, and culturally insensitive.” The Australian Law Reform Commission report, Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence has officially been released Key Recommendations: The CIJ was pleased to see that the report drew extensively on our work in relation to gender-based violence, particularly in its recommendations regarding the criminal justice system and related processes. Recommendation 1 calls for national investment in Safe, Informed and Support services, providing combined access to Independent Legal Services, Justice Navigators and Safe Disclosure options. Combined recommendations call for a concerted increase in the education and training of justice stakeholders, and an investment in building the evidence-base and feedback from survivors about the impacts of trauma. Recommendations 4-5 call to increase transparency and accountability in police investigations are therefore particularly welcome, as greater scrutiny will help to ensure that survivors receive the response that they deserve. The CIJ urges governments at all levels to act on the ALRC recommendations and ensure that survivors have access to information and support; that the impacts of trauma are understood across the justice system; that police are encouraged to be more proactive and transparent; and that restorative justice becomes a widely available and effective option for survivors of sexual violence.
March 11, 2025 at 5:34 AM
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International Women's Day (IWD) has, to an extent, become a corporate formality—a morning tea or panel discussion that can feel disconnected from the reality that many women face in Australia amongst growing rates of gendered violence and discrimination.
8 march International Women's Day IWD has, to an extent, become a corporate formality that can feel disconnected from the reality that many women face in Australia amongst growing rates of gendered violence and discrimination. #AccelerateAction We recognise that the theme for IWD 2025, #AccelerateAction, demands more than symbolic recognition; it requires a commitment to tackling the systemic failures that continue to place women, gender diverse communities and children in danger. Gendered violence remains a national crisis. In 2024, 78 women in Australia were murdered as a result of gendered violence, as reported by Counting Dead Women—a sharp increase from 44 in 2021. By March 7, 2025, eight more women have had their lives taken. For First Nations women, trans and gender-diverse people, older women, and women with disabilities, the risks are even greater, with the numbers of missing and murdered Aboriginal women also untold. This IWD, we must also recognise that the fight for gender equality cannot be separated from broader human rights struggles. First Nations children are being removed from their families and incarcerated at increasing rates. Trans and gender-diverse people are being told their lives and wellbeing do not count. Women from marginalised communities, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, continue to face heightened discrimination and violence. Young people are facing homelessness in growing numbers, fleeing unsafe environments as a result of family violence, in search of safety and stability.
March 7, 2025 at 6:20 AM
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The CIJ today welcomed the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence report, which adopts several key recommendations from CIJ submissions. #restorativejustice #lawreform #innovativejustice
“People who have experienced sexual violence have diverse justice needs. They may view access to ‘justice’ as something different from access to the criminal justice pathway” The Australian Law Reform Commission report, Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence has officially been released Key Recommendations: The ALRC’s report into justice responses for sexual violence has adopted several key recommendations from CIJ submissions. Recommendations (58–60) on expanding restorative justice options for sexual violence matters provide a crucial framework for change. Key Recommendations: The CIJ is particularly encouraged by the ALRC’s recognition that restorative justice allows survivors to hold the person responsible accountable in ways that are meaningful to them, offering a more flexible and survivor-centred approach to justice. The importance of these recommendations cannot be overstated.
March 7, 2025 at 4:36 AM
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Explore the concept of justice needs for those affected by road trauma. Our new video delves into the specific emotional and practical support victims require for their journey towards recovery. #JusticeNeeds #RoadTraumaAwareness
March 6, 2025 at 11:53 PM
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SURVEY CLOSING! Calling all practitioners & service providers supporting young people who use or experience intimate partner violence! The CIJ is working with the AIFS and CFRE at Drummond Street Services to undertake a national study into the use of intimate partner violence by young people.
Do you work with young people? Take our survey: use of intimate partner violence by young people
March 6, 2025 at 3:59 AM
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Mina Hilson has spent over a decade making an impact at the Centre for Innovative Justice—shaping policy, pushing for reform, and championing a fairer system. Now, she’s stepping into a new phase of life, but her legacy remains.

#Justice #Policy #CIJInsights #CareerReflections
Marking the Close of an Extraordinary Chapter: A Conversation with Mina Hilson CIJ Insights vol.3 “Mina is unflinchingly direct when it comes to politics and its intersection with justice. “It feels like we are in pretty dark times,” she states, referencing the global rise of far right-wing movements, media-driven disinformation, and what she sees as a disappointing lack of political courage, like what we witnessed during the referendum in Australia.” “During our conversation, hearing Mina recount her career was both, inspiring and grounding a prime example that professional paths don’t have to follow a straight line. For those seeking purpose in their work, or for students feeling the weight of choosing a lifelong career, she is living proof that there are countless ways to create real-world impact.” “If you have strong values and want to improve things, to make a difference, then you’ll end up in the right place... If you’re in a place that doesn’t sit right with you, listen to that feeling,” she advises. “I wish I had understood that earlier in my career.” 
February 27, 2025 at 5:49 AM
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Discover how restorative justice can play a crucial role in healing victims of road trauma. Watch to learn more about how restorative justice can make a difference in your life or the life of someone you care about.

#RestorativeJustice #RoadTraumaSupport
February 26, 2025 at 1:25 AM
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Recently, Rob Hulls, spoke at the Legal Laneway Breakfast in Morwell, hosted by the Gippsland Law Association in partnership with the Victoria Law Foundation.
A photo from Morwell Legal Laneway Breakfast of 5 people standing side by side in front of a vibrant mural A photo of Rob Hulls talking at Morwell Legal Laneway Breakfast A photo of the back of Rob Hulls talking to an audience facing the camera at Morwell Legal Laneway Breakfast A photo of three people in conversation in the background with the backs of other people in the room in the foreground
February 24, 2025 at 6:34 AM
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On February 20, we marked #WorldDayOfSocialJustice. This year's theme, “A Just Transition for a Sustainable Future,” underscores the urgent need for a holistic approach that fuses environmental sustainability with social justice, as highlighted by the UN.

#SocialJustice2025 #SustainableTransition
Orange graphics with blue text overlaid. Text states: Taking holistic approaches to social & environmental needs for World Day of Social Justice with reflections on the LA wildfires and prison labour. CIJ Insights vol.2 Written by Elle Thielke World Day of Social Justice February 20 marked World Day of Social Justice. This year’s theme focused on “a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future” and the importance of “a holistic approach that weaves environmental sustainability with social justice”- as stated by the United Nations. CIJ Insights vol.2 “As flames raged through the Palisades and Eaton, approximately 1,100 incarcerated individuals fought alongside professional fire crews, risking their lives for minimal pay. These inmate firefighters, crucial to battling blazes, earned between $5.40 and $10.24 USD a day, with an additional $1 USD an hour during emergencies—starkly lower than their civilian counterparts, some of whom made up to and over $1,000 USD a day. “ CIJ Insights With Elle Thielke “This disparity has shocked many worldwide and invites us to examine similar practices closer to home in Australia. Here, incarcerated workers are paid between $30 and $70 AUD a week, rates that many former inmates liken to modern-day slave labour... ”Prison work programmes are often heralded as pathways to skill development and employment post-release. However, the reality is that many former inmates continue to encounter significant employment barriers...” CIJ Insights With Elle Thielke
February 21, 2025 at 4:04 AM
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Our first instalment comes from none other than Associate Director Elena Campbell, unpacking the complex feelings many of us are experiencing as 2025 continues to unravel, shrouding us in uncertainty on a local and global level.

You can read the full piece here cij.org.au/news-and-vie...
On the left-hand side a photo of a femme POC, dressed in business attire, looking out a window thinking. Text on the right: “It’s a tired and tedious trope – the concept that recognising the rights of those marginalised by systems and structures is ‘special treatment’, rather than an indication of our shared humanity – one which ultimately protects us all... ...We may know this at a cognitive level, yet it’s still been breathtaking to see the speed at which those on the path to regression have taken a dizzying array of orange-tinted emissions floating across the Pacific as licence to push their own agendas.” On the right-hand side, a glimpse of a photo of someone working at their desk with a globe in the background. Text on the left: “As this dystopian saga unfolds around the globe – a sequel to the one that has played out in the US for some time – those working in research and law reform therefore have a particular challenge and responsibility.
February 14, 2025 at 1:36 AM
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CIJ Staff Insights is a new series where team members share their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and advice on topics relevant to the justice sector and those who work in it.
A light plum graphic with cream text overlaid, on the right hand side a glimpse of a photo of a POC typing on a laptop. Text Overlaid: CIJ Staff Insights with Elena Campbell, Navigating a year marked with uncertainty On the left hand side a photo of a group of 3+ people at a table with laptops and note books open, having a collaborative discussion. Text on the right: “Many working in the areas of advocacy, research and community-based services are already feeling the weight of the working year. Overshadowing this, a collective anxiety is palpable across posts on this and other platforms – people overwhelmed about where to focus; how to think about anything else; and what to contribute when faced with a violent reversal of progress on multiple fronts...” On the right-hand side a photo of an east asian woman's side profile as she is looking down and thinking. Text on the left: “Decimation of international aid and of national data security; dismissal of the rights of a whole people to a homeland and for the constitutional rights of others; mass deportation of some communities and disregard for the bodily autonomy of others – the worst possible of our collective angels have stepped unabashedly into the spotlight both in the US and, now emboldened, increasingly at home.”
February 14, 2025 at 1:36 AM
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Today, we mark the National Apology Anniversary – a moment that was meant to be a turning point for justice and healing. While those historic words, "I'm sorry," offered hope, the reality is that significant issues persist.
17 years ago today, PM Kevin Rudd delivered a groundbreaking yet long-overdue apology to the Stolen Generations, acknowledging the past and making a commitment to healing. The 2008 apology was a landmark acknowledgment of the injustices faced by the Stolen Generations, offering hope and a starting point for healing. 17 years later, as we reflect, it's clear there is still so much to be done. Aboriginal and First Nations children continue to be removed from their families at alarming rates, and survivors await the meaningful compensation they deserve. As reported by Reconciliation Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children make up 43.7% of children (0-17) in out-of-home care, a figure which has increased in the past 6 years. The Healing Foundation released a report just yesterday, finding that of the recommendations made in the 1997 ‘Bringing Them Home’ Report, only 6% have been clearly implemented. 6% in 28 years...
February 13, 2025 at 6:14 AM
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Quote by Open Circle's Renee Handsacker published by the @australia.theguardian.com in an article last week on restorative justice for sexual assault.
Read the full article: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Soft blue chairs in a restorative justice consulting room with text overlaid: “The criminal justice system can require certain things of [alleged offenders], but it also requires them to kind of position themselves pretty fiercely as, ‘no, this didn’t happen... To me, that’s a kind of a soft option, as opposed to actually requiring someone to deeply engage in the harm that they’ve caused.”
February 13, 2025 at 2:52 AM
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In late January, RMIT welcomed Her Excellency Sam Mostyn, the Governor-General of Australia. She met with Elena Campbell and Doddy Armstrong to discuss the CIJ's work on domestic, family, and sexual violence. #RMIT #Leadership
Her Excellency Sam Mostyn- Governor-General of Australia shaking hands with Doddy Armstrong- CIJ Lived Experience Worker standing next to Elena Campbell- CIJ Associate Director to the right, observed by RMIT Chancellor Peggy O'Neal
February 7, 2025 at 5:47 AM
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Last fortnight, on 24th Jan, Emily Piggott from CIJ joined a round table on lived experience at RMIT, hosted by Marietta Martinovic. The focus was on how lived experiences are shaping adult corrections, youth justice, and forensic mental health. #LivedExperience #RMIT
A group photo of those in attendance at the Lived Experience Round table, 16 professionals standing in two jagged rows in a university building. Bright green colours behind them.
February 6, 2025 at 4:23 AM