New projects aimed at reducing youth crime
Youth support grants
The Far North is included in a series of new programs aimed at preventing youth crime.
Tailored support for young people leaving detention centres, elders assisting police to conduct cautions, and extra measures to help young people to get back into school, work or training will soon be rolled out as part of the new grants scheme.
In Cairns, the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation will provide overnight on country ‘healing camps’ that can be undertaken at very short notice.
The camps – with the help of a $150,000 grant – will be set up so they may be used by young people in the 72-hours after leaving detention, when they are most vulnerable and at high risk of reoffending. The overnight camps will provide cultural activities and one-on-one support.
The $1.4 million Community Partnership Innovation Grants initiative will provide one-off grants for eight projects in eight locations to enable local communities to deliver locally designed solutions.
Minister for Youth Justice Leanne Linard said community organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations and universities were among the successful grant recipients that will work with young people to help them turn their back on crime.
“I’m delighted that we received 116 applications from around the state, as it clearly shows plenty of individuals and organisations want to be part of the solution,” Ms Linard said.
“They want to share their ideas, expertise, and connections. That’s something I wholeheartedly welcome because reducing anti-social behaviour and youth crime is a whole community effort.”
Another successful grant recipient is in Townsville: The Deterring Drivers program aims to prevent young people from stealing cars for ‘joyriding’. With help from a $74,300 state grant, it will be led by the Australian Catholic University and be designed and implemented by researchers with expertise in criminology, policing, road safety and health. It will highlight the dangers while giving participants skills and introducing other activities as an alternative to driving.