Jacob Little, a University of New England law student, co-founded About Time For Justice 4 years ago, aiding survivors of institutional child abuse within the prison system and the community. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's 2018 findings show that people with a disability form 29% of the prison population in Australia despite being only 18% of the general population. This disadvantaged sub-population within the already disadvantaged prison population receives inadequate disability support. This number does not reflect all – as most inmates are unaware they may have a disability. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to child sexual abuse heard from 7981 survivors between 7 May 2013 and December 2017. Most people that we are currently helping are diagnosed with syco social disabilities such as PTSD and others.
About Time For Justice is working all over Australia and has successfully helped many survivors through these harrowing experiences. With lived experience, Jacob plans to enter the nonprofit sector, focusing on youth justice, reintegration, and counselling. The About Time For Justice Foundation, set to gain charity status, aims to reduce recidivism by offering support, mentoring, education, and advocacy for incarcerated individuals. The foundation plans to house people released from prison, run mentoring programs, and address the mental health challenges resulting from institutional abuse.
The plan will have a tailored approach with a focus on survivors of institutional abuse. Jacob's firsthand experience informs the mentoring program, aimed at supporting inmates before, during, and after release. The foundation plans to leverage the NDIS to provide comprehensive support, facilitating a smooth transition into society. Advocacy efforts aim to challenge stereotypes surrounding ex-criminals.
About Time For Justice has been supporting inmates under a for-profit structure but aims to establish a registered charity to align more closely with its mission. The mission is to help all survivors of institutional child abuse seek justice and start healing while helping the voiceless get their voices back. The organisation also plans to tackle the underreported issues of sexual abuse among inmates.
Co-Founders Todd Little and Jacob Little, both with lived experiences of institutional abuse, and the prison systems aim to break generational cycles and provide vital support for those transitioning from incarceration.
Overall, About Time For Justice Foundation's comprehensive plan seeks to address the multifaceted challenges faced by survivors of institutional abuse, incarcerated and formally incarcerated, fostering a supportive environment and advocating for fair opportunities in society.
Presenters
Mr Jacob Little
– Co-Founder, About Time for Justice, Australia
Jacob Little is the Co-Founder at About Time For Justice (ATFJ). ATFJ works heavily within the prison system, helping survivors of institutional child abuse to start healing, seek justice and possible compensation. Jacob has lived experience in these areas. Jacob has recently started talks about getting into the Non-for-profit space. The team starting the About Time For Justice Foundation which will charity status. Jacob plans to work in the youth justice space, reintegration and counselling.
Jacob grew up in a housing commission estate, and a lot of domestic violence and drinking characterised that. At age 10, his dad was taken away to serve a 16-and-a-half-year sentence. Later, Jacob was charged and looked at facing 20 years in the prison system under the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Law (VLAD). Luckily, his charges were dropped, he only served one year in the Queensland prison system. Part of his sentence was spent in solitary confinement for his gang associations.
Jacob has turned his life around. He is studying at the University of New England to become a lawyer with the ambition of starting his own law firm. Outside of study, he spends time in the gym, running and staying active. Jacob completed his first marathon last year and is backing it up this year. Jacob is involved in mentoring programs for young people and wants to help others who the system has poorly treated. After many negative experiences with lawyers and the legal system, Jacob aims to give others a positive experience.
