Where Are They Now?

“Studying Justice has given me opportunities to see injustices, not only in Australia but also abroad. It has given me the tools to understand those injustices, what needs to be done to help, and what I can do to make a difference.”

Finishing her Bachelor of Justice majoring in Policy and Governance with a second major in Law at the end of 2020, Cassidy Cleary made the most of her degree.  The experience, skills, and knowledge that she’s gained over the last few years, including a study tour to Cambodia and a project in Cherbourg, have shaped her passion for Youth Justice and Indigenous Justice.

In 2018 Cassidy travelled to Cambodia on an International Justice and Law Study tour where her group focused on understanding the complexities and responses to issues such as child abuse and human trafficking.

Last year, Cassidy travelled to Cherbourg with other law and justice students to partner with CRAICCHS on two projects that addressed youth mental health and child protection issues within the community.  “My team’s project was to identify gaps where the legislation on child protection wasn’t happening how it needed to.  We partnered with a representative from CRAICCHS who identified their limitations for how they wanted to be able to address children and youth who needed help, because of certain legislation.  Our team composed an evidence-based report focusing on early intervention that identified specific issues and made short- and long-term recommendations.  That report could then be used as evidence when applying for grants, etc.”

“This placement helped me understand a lot more about child protection, youth justice, and youth in Aboriginal communities.  I was able to understand in a much greater depth not only child protection legislation, but how the legislation applies in practice in Aboriginal communities like Cherbourg.

It enhanced my passion for youth justice because I got to really learn how underlying factors can contribute to youth entering the justice system and I was able to understand how it can affect communities."

Cassidy also completed a placement with the YMCA which led to a volunteer position as a Youth Mentor.  Recently, Cassidy was able to utilise her experiences to successfully secure a paid position with the YMCA as a Youth Worker.

What makes Cassidy so passionate about her role as a Youth Worker?

“Empowering young people is so important because they have their whole lives in front of them and many who end up in the youth justice system don’t have any positive role models in their lives.  Helping youth through tough times in their lives before they might enter into the justice system can ultimately end up changing the whole direction of their lives.

The opportunities are super-varied in the justice degree.  At the moment I’m at a crossroads between the more criminological path in QPS – pursuing a detective role vs continuing with my role as a youth worker, which is a more social justice path.  They are very different points in the justice system but both are so important for social justice.”

Cassidy graduated from Mt A in 2015.

Article courtesy of QUT School of Law and Social Justice