'Offensive language' used to target blacks, youth

SYDNEY — The discriminatory nature of police discretion has been shown again in the latest NSW crime statistics for 2002-04. Released on April 17 by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, the figures show that "offensive language" charges are used by police to target young people and Aborigines.

Although overwhelmingly trivial, "offensive language" often results in the user being charged with other offenses, producing the trifecta of "offensive language", "resisting arrest" and "assaulting police". This results in a night in a police cell, a criminal record and a fine.

Once involved in the criminal justice system, Aborigines are at least 90% more likely to be picked up again on another trivial charge.

In 2004, there were 5149 recorded incidents of "offensive language" in NSW. The crime statistics show that arrests for "offensive language" occur at a rate that is 18 times greater in the rural far west of NSW than in the wealthy suburbs of central-northern Sydney.

Dale Mills

From Green Left Weekly, May 4, 2005.

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From GLW issue 625