FOCUS AREA 7: Interactions with the Justice System

Objective: We want to improve the experiences of Autistic people coming into contact with the criminal and youth justice systems.

Actions made under Focus Area 7 aim to address the barriers and challenges raised by the Autistic and autism communities relating to lack of awareness and understanding of staff working in the criminal justice system, the importance of providing information for Autistic people to understand police and court processes and the overrepresentation of undiagnosed Autistic people in criminal justice settings.

• Commitment 1: Improve the knowledge and understanding of autism across the criminal and youth justice systems.
• Commitment 2: Ensure services and supports provided in community and custodial justice settings are responsive to the needs of Autistic people.
• Commitment 3: Create autism inclusive environments within criminal justice settings.