Thursday, 13 July 2017

The Andrews Labor Government today announced a $700,000 grant for Anglicare to help the Latrobe Valley community tackle youth crime and repeat offending.

The ReBoot project is one of 18 projects across Victoria to share in $7.6 million of funding from the Youth Crime Prevention Grants program.

As an innovative community-led program, ReBoot partners with Victoria Police, Anglicare Victoria, Berry Street Gippsland, Kurnai college – Flexible Learning Option Campus, and Quantum Support Services to contribute specialist support and access to a network of services to at-risk young people.

The program with engage and provide intensive support for 30 young people, aged between 10 and 14years, who have demonstrated risk of engaging with the criminal justice system or are currently engaged in low-level offending, to create a pathway away from offending.

The Youth Crime Prevention Grants are part of the government’s ongoing work to address the underlying causes of youth crime and repeat offending.

The grants provide funding for community-led projects that work with young people aged between 10 and 24.

The government has also funded 42 additional police Youth Resource Officers to work in local communities and divert young people from a life of crime.

The additional staff are part of the government’s record $2 billion Community Safety Statement, which includes thousands more police, new powers, equipment and additional measures to hold young offenders to account.

A full list of the youth crime prevention projects can be found at www.crimeprevention.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville

“The Andrews Labor Government is proud to be supporting these community-based programs, given the difference they can make to young people and their communities.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing:

“Having this intensive support in the Latrobe Valley means at-risk young people won’t turn to a life of crime.”

“Participating in a project, such as ReBoot, can be life-changing and help give young people a fresh start and the best chance to succeed.”