Dr Stephane Shepherd 

Dr Stephane Shepherd 

Dr Stephane Shepherd is Professor of Forensic Psychology and Criminology at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University. He has developed an internationally recognised body of research and writing on the cultural, social and mental health needs of young people who have contact with the justice system. He has published over 100 articles and book chapters, and he has received over 5 million in research funding. In 2020, he was named one of ABCs top 5 researchers under 40, and he received the 2020 Victorian Government Multi-Cultural Award for Excellence in Justice. Dr. Shepherd also received the American Psychology-Law Society’s Early Career Award in 2019, and he was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship in 2015. Dr. Shepherd is a member of the Victorian Youth Parole Board, the Victorian Government African Communities Committee and the Victorian Government’s Expert Advisory Committee for Countering Violent Extremism. 

Presentation

Youth Justice and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations: Trends, Challenges and Strengths-Based Solutions

There has been a overall drop in the numbers of young people in custody in Victoria over the past 10 years. However, there has been a rise in the number of young people processed through the justice system for high harm offences. Additionally there has been a simultaneous increase in the number of young people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds entering the system. This presentation canvasses the factors underpinning the over-representation of CALD young people and considers strengths-based community-led solutions to reduce justice system contact and improve the lives of young people and their families.