A UNION representing youth justice staff has called for the removal of the "worst, problematic and violent" offenders after an attack left a Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre staff member hospitalised.
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A Community and Public Sector Union Victoria spokesperson said staff were increasingly worried about their safety and wellbeing.
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"The centre needs more staff, they need the worst problematic offenders to be charged and removed from those youth justice facilities," the spokesperson said.
"[Staff] want police to be charging [offenders] with assault and they should be having those charges prosecuted in the adult court with the prospect if they are found guilty then they should face time inside an adult facility as a deterrent.
"These are the only possible ways that we can really protect the staff from these unprovoked, vicious assaults."
The concerns expressed by staff stem from last Monday's attack that saw an acting supervisor taken to Bendigo Health.
The staff member was treated for upper body injuries, and taken to hospital in a stable condition.
WorkSafe confirmed officials visited the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre on Monday, July 26.
A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson said WorkSafe was on site, however there was no notice issued in relation to assaults on staff as a result of this visit.
"We value the opportunity to continuously work with a range of agencies, including WorkSafe Victoria and the CPSU, to ensure our youth justice custodial facilities are as safe as possible," the spokesperson said.
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"Violence toward staff is absolutely unacceptable and safety is of utmost importance in our youth justice centres.
"We take a zero-tolerance approach to violence and assaults in youth justice centres and all incidents are referred to Victoria Police."
The spokesperson said the staff member involved in the incident at Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct is out of hospital and in a stable condition.
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