Case Explained: Youth Crime Prevention Programs Show Impact In Geraldton – Legal Perspective

• Cook Government initiatives helping young people and building safer communities in the Mid West
• Sports program among initiatives targeting causes of youth offending and negative behaviours
• On Track to Thrive offers wraparound support for families and at-risk children in Geraldton

A sports program that combines boxing training with mentoring sessions has started in Geraldton to reduce the risk of young people reoffending while on bail.

The initiative, Fighting Future Boxing Program, is one of several backed by the Cook Government, to enhance community safety in the Mid West by fresh approaches to tackling youth crime and antisocial behaviour.

The first of the six-week sports programs started this month with one-and-a-half-hour training sessions followed by time for the participants to speak with support workers.

These services provide tailored support for 10-to-17-year-olds to meet bail conditions and address underlying causes of behaviour.

Support teams offer holistic, wraparound support by assisting with transport, accommodation, education and training, appointment reminders, and referrals to health, welfare, and justice-related programs.

The Cook Government’s On Track to Thrive program is another initiative getting underway in the Mid West to support at-risk young people. The program is targeted at children aged 5 to 9 exhibiting negative behaviours in the community. Geraldton is one of two sites chosen for the two-year pilot $7.8 million program.

Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service has been engaged to provide health and in-home services under the Department of Justice-led program.

The Attorney General today visited Geraldton to meet with people delivering the programs and visited the gym where the boxing sessions are taking place.

As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:

“There are many benefits of sport for young people in helping them focus, keep healthy, and develop team skills.

“The Cook Government’s focus is on increasing prevention programs and it’s encouraging that legal organisations are trying new approaches to youth justice that will benefit the broader community.

“The bail support services are helping young people not only meet their legal obligations but providing them access to services and programs to divert them from further contact with the criminal justice system.

“In one case, Legal Aid’s support workers assisted a young person to obtain food, clothing, stable accommodation, receive a youth allowance, and return to school after a two-year hiatus. Critically, that child has avoided re-offending.

“I’m also pleased see in Geraldton that the trial is underway of On Track to Thrive, an innovative program that will help the families and at-risk children through support services to give them the best chance of a brighter future.”

As stated by Sandra Carr MLC:

“It is important our youth experience a range of opportunities to redirect their behaviour and their future lives.

“Sporting programs are an effective way to engage and support young people and it is great to see this bail initiative, which along with On Track to Thrive will improve outcomes across our whole community.”