Library Resources for Criminology & Justice: News and Events

The stories listed on this bulletin are provided for information purposes only. They are included to reflect current events and community opinion relating to issues studied by students at ACAP University College. They do not reflect the views of ACAP University College.

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How the word ‘incel’ got away from us By Farid Zaid
The Conversation, 09/05/25
Most of these young men are not ticking time bombs – they are simply struggling with disconnection. We need more places where that pain can be acknowledged without shame or fear of ridicule.It starts with how we talk to, and about, young men. 

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Australia doesn’t have a federal Human Rights Act – but the election clears the way for overdue reform By Amy Maguire
University of Melbourne, 07/05/25
Australia presents itself – and is largely ranked – as a global leader in protecting civil and political rights. Yet Australia also receives persistent international criticism, notably in relation to the rights of Indigenous peoples, refugees and asylum seekers.

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University of Melbourne publishes first Annual Report on Racism
University of Melbourne, 07/05/25
Today, the University of Melbourne published its inaugural Annual Report on Racism. The report outlines the University’s anti-racism priorities, progress since the launch of its Anti-Racism Commitment in 2023, and complaints and reports of racism submitted by students and staff during 2024.

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How maximum security prison inmates and officers worked together to create a farm behind bars By Christian Tietz
The Conversation, 07/05/25
At Macquarie Correctional Centre in western New South Wales, a story of collaboration and persistence is unfolding. Inmates and prison officers are farming commercial quantities of fresh food in a purpose-built indoor facility.

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More Australians are overdosing on GHB. But there are ways to reduce your risk By Jack Freestone & Krista J. Siefried
The Conversation, 07/05/25
Gamma hydroxybutyrate – better known as GHB – is an increasingly popular illegal drug being used recreationally in Australia. We still don’t know exactly why there is an increase in GHB use in Australia. Possible factors include its low price and increased availability.

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Exhibition focuses on domestic violence murder that divided colonial Perth By Emma Wynne
ABC, 07/05/25
In 1876, a wealthy pastoralist from a prominent colonial family shot and killed his 26-year-old wife at the family property near Geraldton, and was promptly arrested and put on trial in Perth. 

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‘I got sent something of people shooting themselves’ – research shows young people can’t avoid harmful content online By Dougal Sutherland
The Conversation, 06/05/25
A new report from New Zealand’s Classification Office has revealed how young people are being exposed to harmful content online and what it is doing to their mental health.

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AI systems are built on English – but not the kind most of the world speaks By Celeste Rodriguez Louro
The Conversation, 06/05/25
An estimated 90% of the training data for current generative AI systems stems from English. However, English is an international lingua franca with about 1.5 billion speakers worldwide, and countless varieties. So whose English is today’s technology based on? 

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Explainer: How is migrant smuggling criminalized?
UNODC, 25/04/25
Despite growing political attention to the organized crime involvement in migrant smuggling and international efforts to combat it, its criminalization varies widely between countries.

Federal defendants Australia
ABS, 01/05/25
Statistics about defendants with federal offences dealt with by criminal courts including demographic, offence, outcome and sentence information.

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Australia's population by country of birth
ABS, 30/04/25
Statistics on Australia's estimated resident population by country of birth

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Locked up for life? Unpacking South Australia’s new child sex crime laws By Xanthe Mallett & Raquel Peel
The Conversation, 30/04/25
It’s election time, which means the age old “tough on crime” rhetoric is being heralded by many politicians aiming to score votes.

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Why you should consider using AI if you've been avoiding it By Anna Chisholm
ABC, 30/04/25
If you've been avoiding generative artificial intelligence (AI) you're "missing the next industrial revolution". 
That's according to Nici Sweaney, CEO of AI consultancy business AI Her Way.

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Women reported rape, assault by cops. Police investigation was a new trauma.
ABC, 29/04/25
Three years after Victoria Police stood up a new unit to investigate family violence by serving officers, women say they've faced shocking treatment and even criminal charges themselves after gathering the courage to report abuse.

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The CSI squad closing a dark chapter in Colombia’s history By Natashya Gutierrez & Matt Henry 
ABC, 29/04/25
With an estimated 120,000 people missing after decades of civil strife, finding them has become a national mission.

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Meeting called to tackle 'out of control' youth crime issues in Tasmania
ABC, 29/04/25
After a wave of recent alleged incidents in Hobart's northern suburbs, a meeting has been called to address youth crime in Tasmania. It will be attended by the police commissioner, the police minister and the premier — who says "all options are on the table" for consideration.

Election Diary: Coalition makes ‘law-and-order’ pitch, with plan to invest proceeds of drug crime into communities By Michelle Grattan
The Conversation, 20/04/25
A Dutton government would introduce new laws to disrupt organised crime and spend $355 million on a strike team to fight the illicit drug trade.

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Femicides in 2023
UNODC, 04/25
Global estimates of intimate partner/family member femicides.

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Youth crime in NSW
BOCSAR, 04/25
The underlying causes of youth crime are complex, and addressing the problem requires a whole-of-system approach.