We know that the people who live in the most deprived parts of our society are more likely to have experienced challenges at school; mental ill health; alcohol or drug addiction; unemployment; or homelessness. It is little surprise therefore, that people who are the victims of crime and those who offend and their families are drawn disproportionately from these areas.
That is why the National Strategy for Community Justice is founded on adopting a preventative approach: an approach to not only reduce crime and the number of future victims of crime, but to help to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive society where people’s life chances are improved and our public resources are made best use of. This strategy sets out an ambitious vision where people are rightly held to account for their offending, but are supported to be active and responsible contributors to their community.