The criminal legal system should protect people’s rights and safety. Instead, for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it’s shaped by over-policing, unsafe custody conditions and a long history of discrimination. These experiences don’t just affect individuals - they cause deep harm to families, communities and future generations.

Narrated by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Barapa Barapa woman, this episode of Know Your Rights examines racism in the criminal legal system and its devastating consequences. 

Ngarrindjeri artist Flick Chafer-Smith opens up about her experience of living through the system and the role of community-led programs in supporting change. Ali Besiroglu, Director of Legal Services at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) shares the tragic story of Veronica Nelson - to highlight the deep racial injustices within Australia’s legal and prison systems. 

Together, they describe how fear of police, lack of support, unsafe custody conditions and systemic discrimination continue to affect First Peoples in Victoria, and point to community-led solutions and legal reforms that are needed.

Know Your Rights is a 5 part podcast series presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.

If you or someone you know has experienced race discrimination, you can reach out to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for more information, to make a complaint or report. Visit humanrights.vic.gov.au to learn more.

Click here to access the full shownotes, resources and transcript.

Other links and resources mentioned in the episode:
www.vals.org.au
Coroners Court of Victoria Inquest into the Passing of Veronica Nelson: A copy of the finding can be found here, as on amended 24 August 2023
VALS Cultural capability framework: https://www.vals.org.au/research-evidence-development/first-nations-cultural-capability-framework/
Dardi Munwurro: https://dardimunwurro.com.au/
Baggarook:https://www.vals.org.au/community-justice-programs/baggarrook/

Song credits:
Koori Woman - Carol Fraser
Call It Out - David Arden

The criminal legal system should protect people&rsquo;s rights and safety. Instead, for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it&rsquo;s shaped by over-policing, unsafe custody conditions and a long history of discrimination. These experiences don&rsquo;t just affect individuals - they cause deep harm to families, communities and future generations.
Narrated by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Barapa Barapa woman, this episode of Know Your Rights examines racism in the criminal legal system and its devastating consequences.&nbsp;
Ngarrindjeri artist Flick Chafer-Smith opens up about her experience of living through the system and the role of community-led programs in supporting change. Ali Besiroglu, Director of Legal Services at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) shares the tragic story of Veronica Nelson - to highlight the deep racial injustices within Australia&rsquo;s legal and prison systems.&nbsp;
Together, they describe how fear of police, lack of support, unsafe custody conditions and systemic discrimination continue to affect First Peoples in Victoria, and point to community-led solutions and legal reforms that are needed.
Know Your Rights is a 5 part podcast series presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.
If you or someone you know has experienced race discrimination, you can reach out to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for more information, to make a complaint or report. Visit <a href="http://humanrights.vic.gov.au">humanrights.vic.gov.au</a> to learn more.
<a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/racism-in-the-criminal-legal-system-standing-up-for-justice/">Click here to access the full shownotes, resources and transcript.</a>
Other links and resources mentioned in the episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://www.vals.org.au">www.vals.org.au</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Coroners Court of Victoria Inquest into the Passing of Veronica Nelson: A copy of the finding can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-08/COR%202020%200021%20-%20Veronica%20Nelson%20Inquiry%20-%20Form%2037%20-%20Finding%20into%20Death%20with%20Inquest%20-%2030%20January%202023%20-%20Amended%2024%20August%202023.pdf">here</a>, as on amended 24 August 2023</li>
<li aria-level="1">VALS Cultural capability framework: <a href="https://www.vals.org.au/research-evidence-development/first-nations-cultural-capability-framework/">https://www.vals.org.au/research-evidence-development/first-nations-cultural-capability-framework/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Dardi Munwurro: <a href="https://dardimunwurro.com.au/">https://dardimunwurro.com.au/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Baggarook: <a href="https://www.vals.org.au/community-justice-programs/baggarrook/">https://www.vals.org.au/community-justice-programs/baggarrook/</a></li>
</ul>
Song credits:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Koori Woman - Carol Fraser</li>
<li aria-level="1">Call It Out - David Arden</li>
</ul>

Have you ever been refused service because of who you are? Do you feel like the education system wasn’t built for you? Have you or your kids faced racist comments whilst playing sports or going to school? Know Your Rights shines a light on the everyday discrimination First Peoples in Victoria continue to face — in schools, sport, shops, healthcare, and within the criminal legal system. 

Hosted by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta and Mutti Mutti woman from Naarm, this 5 part series unpacks real stories from community and explores how they connect to our shared history and ongoing fight for justice.

Created for First Peoples in Victoria and presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), Know Your Rights looks at systemic inequality — from the tragic case of Veronica Nelson to the subtle, everyday moments of bias and exclusion — and asks what it will take to build a fairer future for all.

If you want to get clearer on your rights, speak up for yourself or others, or learn how to better support First Peoples in your community, this podcast gives you real stories and practical tools to help. All episodes will be launching in February 2026 - subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, visit https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au. 

All episodes were recorded on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm in 2025.

Have you ever been refused service because of who you are? Do you feel like the education system wasn&rsquo;t built for you? Have you or your kids faced racist comments whilst playing sports or going to school? Know Your Rights shines a light on the everyday discrimination First Peoples in Victoria continue to face &mdash; in schools, sport, shops, healthcare, and within the criminal legal system.&nbsp;
Hosted by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta and Mutti Mutti woman from Naarm, this 5 part series unpacks real stories from community and explores how they connect to our shared history and ongoing fight for justice.
Created for First Peoples in Victoria and presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), Know Your Rights looks at systemic inequality &mdash; from the tragic case of Veronica Nelson to the subtle, everyday moments of bias and exclusion &mdash; and asks what it will take to build a fairer future for all.
If you want to get clearer on your rights, speak up for yourself or others, or learn how to better support First Peoples in your community, this podcast gives you real stories and practical tools to help. All episodes will be launching in February 2026 - subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au">https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au</a>.&nbsp;
All episodes were recorded on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm in 2025.

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