It takes a village to raise a child. How do we as a community constructively reduce youth crime and offer young people a future to look forward to?

Let us deliberate and come up with solutions that improves everyone’s lives.

Recently, reports of youth crime in Queensland have gained notoriety in the press. Communities feel threatened by criminal youths. The most common offenses committed by young individuals are often related to property crime – theft, break-ins, and vandalism – with motor vehicle thefts being particularly prominent. However, there have been instances of more serious crimes, such as assault and drug-related offenses.

The age group most involved in these illicit activities typically falls between 10 and 17 years old, with mainly male representation. The repercussions are significant, not just for the individuals involved, but for their families, victims, and society at large.

But, has youth crime actually increased? (Is youth crime a ‘crisis’? Here’s what Queensland figures really show)

Public response

After outpours from community members over the “youth crime epidemic (‘Everybody has had a gutful’: online anti-crime groups propel Queensland to a political reckoning), the government developed a program to tackle this problem (Putting community safety first with tougher action on youth crime and its causes).

The government’s response did not go far enough for some (Sky News Australia special investigation: Jonathan Lea lifts lid on Queensland’s deepening youth crime epidemic).

For others, the chosen approach will not deliver results or even create the opposite of the intended effect (STOP YOUTH CRIME – GET SMARTER NOT TOUGHER)

Human Rights advocates ring the alarm bell over the Queensland government revoking human rights (Human rights advocates sound alarm as Queensland passes “dangerous” youth justice changes)

Understanding the Underlying Causes

To tackle this issue effectively, it is crucial to understand the underlying causes. Several studies have pointed out that socio-economic factors play a considerable role. Lack of access to quality education, unemployment, family dysfunction, and exposure to drugs and alcohol are among the major contributing factors.

A significant percentage of youth involved in crime in Queensland also come from indigenous communities. This is often tied to socio-economic deprivation, historical marginalisation, and the inter-generational effects of such issues.

Mental health also plays a crucial role, with many young offenders dealing with conditions like ADHD, depression, and anxiety, often undiagnosed or untreated.

Turning Towards Solutions

Addressing youth crime requires a combination of various strategies focusing on prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation.

Prevention: The key to prevention is to tackle the root causes early on. This involves improving access to quality education, providing vocational training, promoting community activities, and offering mental health support in schools and communities. Early detection and intervention can significantly decrease the likelihood of youth falling into the cycle of crime.

Intervention: Law enforcement and the legal system have a role to play, but it is essential that young offenders are treated in a manner befitting their age, cognizant of the fact that punitive measures alone are insufficient. Youth Justice Conferencing, a restorative justice process involving the offender, their family, victims, and a police representative, has been implemented in Queensland with positive outcomes. This process allows young offenders to understand the consequences of their actions and make amends, fostering empathy and responsibility.

Rehabilitation: For youths who’ve been involved in crime, providing a path to rehabilitation is vital. This involves providing them with the necessary education, life skills, and counselling support to integrate back into society.

Community solutions

How can we as a community create solutions that reduce youth crime and offers the community peace of mind and young people an outlook to a brighter future? Let’s deliberate.