How Do We Keep Young People Out of the Justice System?

How Do We Keep Young People Out of the Justice System?

Author: Bravecasting September 6, 2026 Duration: 43:27

Abraham Kuol spent the first seven years of his life in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya before his family came to Australia as refugees, a journey that would ultimately lead him to become a youth mentor, criminology researcher and community leader. 

Now Victoria’s Young Australian of the Year for 2026, Abraham joins us to talk about youth crime, early intervention and what we can do to keep vulnerable young people out of the justice system.

Abraham is also the Director of the Sandown Lions Foundation, which supports vulnerable young people through mentoring, education and community programs. Find out more and get involved at sandownlions.com.au/our-foundation.

You can watch our episodes by visiting our Youtube Channel here.

Join our Facebook Group here.

Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.

Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes.

For Support:

Lifeline  on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie

Guest: Abraham Kuol

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard


GET IN TOUCH:

Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

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Got a question or comment you want played on the show? Get involved by sending us a voice message on our True Crime Hotline here


For those drawn to the shadows that linger just beyond the backyard fence, Australian True Crime offers a compelling and often unsettling exploration. Hosted by Meshel Laurie, whose genuine fascination with the genre drives every conversation, this podcast delves into the stories that unfold in the very streets and suburbs we think we know. It moves beyond the headlines to examine the intricate, human details of cases that have shocked the nation. Laurie’s approach is characterised by thorough research and a commitment to presenting multiple perspectives. Each episode is built around interviews with a range of voices, including journalists who have covered the cases, investigators who worked the scenes, and at times, the victim survivors or even perpetrators themselves. This method provides a multi-faceted view, probing the underbelly of Australian communities to uncover the complex realities behind the crime. Listening to this podcast feels like sitting down for a deep, sometimes difficult, but always engrossing discussion about the darker threads woven into the fabric of Australian life. It’s for anyone who understands that true crime is, at its core, about people and place, and that the most mysterious tales are often those closest to home.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 50

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