The Wire

Introducing a curfew as a solution to youth crime in an Indigenous community is not a new idea. South Australian town Port Augusta has a high indigenous and high youth population and a recent spate of vandalism has prompted the council to consider this option for the community. But to Aboriginal Legal Rights lawyer Renee Ellis a curfew is a bandaid solution, which does nothing to address many critical issues within the community. She believes most of the community is opposed to a curfew and the discussion should focus on youth mental health, family support and providing youth with alternatives rather than on punishment.