Fay Gale

Aboriginal art: Australia's neglected inheritance

Australias rich heritage of aboriginal rock art is threatened by a rapid growth in tourism. The authors studied visitor behaviour at rock art sites in order to assess the merits of various kinds of protective mechanisms: fences, grilles, guides, and boardwalks. Site protection requires scientific research and planning, as security mechanisms applicable to one site do not necessarily work in another. Photographs, references.

Chivalry, Justice or Paternalism?: The Female Offender in the Juvenile Justice System

A substantial literature on the female status offender maintains that juvenile justice is discriminatory. It censures the sexually active girl, while turning a blind eye to the promiscuous boy. Less is known about the laws response to girls whose behaviour is criminal by adult standards. This article compares the treat ment of young males and females charged with criminal offences in South Australia. The relationship observed between the work ings of the justice system and the sex of the offender is found to be a complex one, mediated by a range of legal, social and demo graphic factors.

Aboriginal Visibility in the ‘System’

In Australia, Aborigines, both adult and juvenile, experience a disproportionately higher degree of contact with ‘authorities’ and ‘the system’ than do members of the mainstream community. An examination of youth offending records in South Australia during the period, 1 July, 1979–30 June, 1983, illustrates that Aboriginal youth are not only over-represented in terms of the numbers appearing before the Childrens Court and Childrens Aid Panels, but also they are significantly more likely to have experienced previous contact with the ‘system’ than have non-Aboriginal youth. The data show that they are more likely to have records of previous Aid Panel and Court Appearances, are more likely to appear under an existing order or as an absconder and, finally, are more likely to be under the care of the state at the time of their ‘current’ appearance.