Videos produced by Telethon Kids Institute as part of the 'Understanding FASD: A Guide for Justice Professionals' project
One
FASD and the Justice System
- The key principle of our justice system is ‘equality before the law’
- FASD is a lifelong disability that can impact on the capacity of a person to be fairly treated under the justice system
- How the justice system identifies and responds to FASD will have a significant impact on the outcomes for people with FASD, their families and the broader community
Two
Awareness of FASD
- People with FASD may interact with the justice system at all levels and in a range of roles
- FASD may not always be diagnosed or may be misdiagnosed
- What does FASD ‘look like’?
Three
Representing Clients in the Criminal Justice System
- Understanding how FASD may affect a person’s behaviour in relation to criminal activity
- Requesting assessments of persons who may have a FASD
Four
FASD and the Judiciary
- The court needs to be guided by lawyers
- An assessment can change the court’s response
Five
Protection and Care Proceedings
- Children and young people in care are a high risk group for FASD
- Practitioners in protection and pare need to be particularly alert to the indicators of FASD