The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to invest in crime prevention in Melbourne‘s southeast, keeping young people out of the justice system and on the right track for a bright future.
Minister for Crime Prevention Anthony Carbines today visited Frankston to mark a $1 million investment to support the extension of the Pivot program – a local program run across Casey, Dandenong and Frankston which helps tackle the causes of youth offending.
Pivot is for young people aged 12 to 23 who are at risk of being involved with the criminal justice system, offering tailored support plans, therapeutic and family-based interventions to address the challenges they face.
The program focusses on young people learning new skills, reconnecting with education, accessing employment, building relationships and generating meaningful connections within the community.
It is run by Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS), with the program providing intensive support to young people and their families by linking them to ongoing care, case management and with local support agencies to ensure their needs are met.
The Pivot program is funded through the Labor Government’s Youth Crime Prevention Program (YCPP), which delivers community-led initiatives across 14 sites in Victoria.The YCPP engages young people aged 10 to 24 who have had contact with, or who are at risk of being involved with the criminal justice system.
A 2022 evaluation found a 29 per cent reduction in offending and a 24 per cent reduction in the severity of offending for participants who completed the program.
More than 4,800 young people have been supported through the program since 2016. This includes 1,800 young people receiving intensive support and 3,000 young people engaged in activities to give them the right skills and education to prevent offending.
Since 2016, the Labor Government has invested more than $40 million in the Youth Crime Prevention Program which includes $13.6 million from the Victorian Budget 2023/24.
As stated by Minister for Crime Prevention Anthony Carbines
“Investing in initiatives like the Youth Crime Prevention Program empowers our local communities to work together to support vulnerable young people and give them the tools they need for a bright future.”
“Pivot gives young people a chance to feel valued, to be heard, and to live a fulfilling, crime-free life.”
As stated by Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke
“The continued investment in Pivot will make a positive difference in improving connection to community and providing young people in Frankston with supports to achieve positive life pathways.”
