Karen Jackson

Karen Jackson is a Yorta Yorta woman with extensive experience in First Peoples cultural knowledge. She is a member of the Yoorrook Expert Advisory Group, the Deputy Chair of the WM RAJAC and the Co-Chair of the Koling wada-ngal Aboriginal Corporation. She makes this submission to show the lived experiences of how mainstream systems are still failing community. She has sought permission from the RAJAC and DJCS to share these case studies with Yoorrook. This submission comprises three deidentified and composite case studies. The case studies illustrate the impact of transitioning into and out of custody; the importance of cultural safety and cultural strengthening; and first-hand experiences of family services, child protection and out of home care.