Focus Area 7: Staged actions - from 2026 to 2029
Commitment 1: Improve the knowledge and understanding of autism across the criminal and youth justice systems.
Target
Improve the awareness of autism in justice settings to address misconceptions of Autistic qualities.
Action
Ensure Courts SA staff, including Youth Court staff, are given education and development opportunities to increase awareness of disabilities that affect children, young people, and families involved in criminal and youth justice systems or care and protection systems.
Lead: Courts Administration Authority
Target Date: 2026
Action
Consider implementing the Hidden Disabilities Program at different Courts Administration Authority sites.
Lead: Courts Administration Authority
Target Date: 2026
Commitment 2: Ensure services and supports provided in community and custodial justice settings are responsive to the needs of Autistic people.
Target
Enhance supports for Autistic people within the community and custodial setting, including supports to ensure Autistic people are informed of processes.
Action
Continue to implement Canine Therapy Companions, where possible, to support Autistic people in court proceeding processes.
Lead: Courts Administration Authority
Target Date: 2026
Action
Ensure Intervention Programs within the courts integrate treatment with the court process to provide support to court users, including Autistic people.
Lead: Courts Administration Authority
Target Date: 2026
Commitment 3: Create autism inclusive environments within criminal justice settings.
Target
Collaborate with stakeholders and lived experience groups to ensure criminal justice settings are autism inclusive.
Action
Establish a Courts Administration Authority Community Reference Group to ensure Courts Administration Authority policies, processes and resources are developed with reference to the needs of diverse communities.
Lead: Courts Administration Authority
Target Date: 2026
Action
Identify appropriate professionals who can be engaged by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to provide communication assistance for Autistic victims and witnesses with complex communication needs, ensuring they can understand and communicate with the court.
Lead: Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Attorney-General’s Department)
Target Date: 2026
Action
Consult with Department for Correctional Services and South Australia Police staff to provide subject matter expertise regarding autism.
Lead: Office for Autism (Department of the Premier and Cabinet) and Department for Correctional Services
Target Date: 2026
Action
As part of the three-year Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) plan, develop an ODPP Diversity and Inclusion Working Group to identify opportunities to ensure ODPP policies, processes and resources reflect to the needs of diverse communities.
Lead: Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Attorney-General’s Department)
Target Date: 2026
Target
Provide supports and services in various formats to ensure Autistic people can access information about services, rights, informed decision-making and support inclusion.
Action
Develop resources for Autistic victims with written and visual information about the do's and don'ts at trials, to support verbal information provided.
Lead: Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Attorney-General’s Department)
Target Date: 2026