Seeking Justice for Pasifika Youth

The 43-page report, from Associate Professor Julia Ioane, was published by Massey University and undertaken with 24 “justice-involved’’ teenagers as well as 23 parents/caregivers who shared their insights and opinions.  

The aim of the study was to understand the views and experiences of Pasifika youth, and their parents/caregivers about mental health and wellbeing. 

Because of the ‘’overwhelming’’ numbers of Pasifika youth in the justice system, alongside the over-representation, yet under-reporting, of Pasifika youth in mental health the two areas were merged to: 

• Explore mental health problems and substance abuse among youth with offending behaviour! 
• Examine culture, family and spirituality and their association with mental health. 
• Understand the experience of the youth justice system for Pasifika youth and how they came to offend. 

What the study found was that mental health and behavioural problems were not reported as major issues, and that youngsters reported both positive and negative experiences of being in the justice system. 

For example, while talking about social workers on their particular cases, one teenager said he had support – ‘’they were always checking up...texting, ringing, asking if I am alright. They would sometimes come and pick me up and we would go out’’. While another said what they said was ’’a load of rubbish, because at the end of the day they walk out the door and they are just going to forget about me’’. 

Key drivers of crime in the group began with wanting money to respond to basic needs for food, alongside a desire for status, sensation-seeking and just not thinking about the consequences of their actions. However, they stopped offending when there was; 

• a change in motivation and mindset  
• the value of aiga/family changed, and 
• they had access to programmes and staying in school.  

Indeed, when asked what advice they would give to a younger version of themselves the unanimous response was to stay in school.  

‘’Once I left school, that’s when I started getting into trouble,’’ said one. 

Researchers said changes needed included a targeted approach to mental health and the development of aiga-based therapeutic interventions to address cultural resources and aiga relationships, and well-targeted combinations to address emotional and behavioural problems, cultural identity, and spirituality. 

One of the main conclusions of the report was that the health and wellbeing of Pasifika youth who offend remained a risk to communities, and it suggested:

• A focus on Pasifika youth in the justice system must be prioritised, as their behaviour has wider implications for the community in terms of risk and safety, the physical and psychological harm that affects their victims and the families of both the victims and the young people who offend. 
• Pasifika youth in Aotearoa, despite their resilience in the face of discrimination and adversity, are more likely to have higher levels of unmet mental health needs than do non-Pasifika.  

• Once involved in offending, the risks increase. Research shows that the rate of mental health disorders is higher among all young people in youth justice settings than in the general population. 
• Pasifika youth are one of the most vulnerable and at-risk groups within the offending population with higher levels of mental health issues, yet many of their needs are unmet. 

Associate Professor Ioane finished her report by saying ‘’understanding mental health as health’’ highlighted the holistic worldview of Pasifika people that must be incorporated in the way in which systems, agencies and people work. 

‘’Seeking solutions for our Pasifika youth and their families in the justice system is an ongoing journey that requires open and agile minds to ensure that outcomes are sustainable’’  

‘’These are complex and challenging matters for all involved, and the development of complex, innovative and ground-breaking solutions will be important.’’