Understanding FASD: A guide for justice professionals

What was this research about?

Our previous research on FASD knowledge, attitudes and practice of justice professionals in WA identified:

• what information is required
• how this information should be delivered

This project focused on translating this research, together with health and legal concepts and knowledge, into practical educational resources for justice professionals so that they can:

• recognise cognitive impairments and possible FASD in young people engaging with the criminal justice system whether as an offender, witness or victim, or children and young people in protection and care matters
• identify legal implications
• consider referral for assessment if cognitive impairments and/or disability is suspected
• consider decision making with respect to orders, sentencing and management to accommodate cognitive impairments and disability

Ethics Approval

At all times we ensure that the work and research we do does not harm others and that the people who participate in the project are treated with respect.

Ethics approval helps to ensure that research complies with established guidelines such as the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. 

Approval for this project was granted by the University of Western Australia Health Research Ethics Committee.

Funding

This project was funded by the Western Australian Department of the Attorney General Criminal Property Confiscation Grants Program.

Download PDF of the project here:

---

Who conducted this research?

Researchers

• Ms Heather Jones: Manager FASD Projects, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia
• Dr Raewyn Mutch: Paediatrician and Senior Clinical Research Fellow, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia
• Dr Rochelle Watkins: Senior Research Fellow, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia
• Professor Carol Bower: Senior Principal Research Fellow, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia

Steering Group

We acknowledge the members of the Steering Group who contributed their expertise, wisdom, personal experiences and a generous amount of their time to meet, brainstorm, develop content for the resources, participate in filming for the videos, and to review project documents and publications.

• Magistrate Catherine Crawford: Perth Children's Court
• Ms Trish Heath: A/Manager Policy and Research, office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People
• Ms Anna O'Connor: Lawyer Legal Practice Development & Children's Court Protection Services, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Ms Claire Rossi: Solicitor Criminal Law Division, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Magistrate Stephen Vose: Perth Children's Court
• Ms Julie Waud: Solicitor & Manager Court Officers, Aboriginal Legal Service Western Australia
• Ms Robyn Williams: Community representative & PhD candidate FASD and families

We are also grateful to the following organisations for their generous support and contribution:

• Aboriginal Legal Service Western Australia
• Commissioner for Children and Young People
• Legal Aid Western Australia
• Children's Court of Western Australia

Individuals

The researchers also thank the following people (alphabetical order) for their input into the development of the resources:

• Naomi Brown: Lawyer, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Fiona Calley: Lawyer, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Travis Cranley: Lawyer, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Mark Fredericks: Juvenile Justice Team, Department of Corrective Services
• Toby Freeman: Young actor
• Megan Gahler: Paralegal, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Ernesto Godinez: Lawyer, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Magistrate Andrée Horrigan: Perth Children's Court
• Shivaun Hughes: Lawyer, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Steven Lawsen: Panel Administration Legal Aid Western Australia
• Fran Marsh: Lawyer, Legal Aid Western Australia
• The Honourable Wayne Martin AC: Chief Justice Western Australia
• Kyle Martin: Lawyer, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Rachael Moffitt: Judicial Support Officer, Perth Children's Court
• Katia Nadalin: Lawyer, Legal Aid Western Australia
• Jenni Perkins: A/Commissioner for Children & Young People
• His Honour Judge Denis Reynolds: President Children's Court of Western Australia
• Ryan Small: Audio Visual Coordinator, Perth Children's Court
• Sean Stocks: Children's Court Team Practice Manager Senior State Prosecutor, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
• Emily Ohayon: Legal Officer, General Law Unit, Department for Child Protection and Family Support
• Lucie O'Sullivan: Young actor
• Jarred Wall: Juvenile Justice Team, Department of Corrective Services
• Amanda Ugle: Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Perth Children's Court
• Tracy Weston: State Prosecutor, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions