NT Government Programs and Services to help create a safer and more secure community

Community Based Projects

Safe Families Project

Following public concern about a perceived increase in criminal and anti social behaviour, mainly by young people in Alice Springs in early 2003, consultations were held with Government and non-Government agencies to work out how to assist some young people in Alice Springs who were identified as being "at risk". Community based youth service providers have been working hard to support young people at risk. The youth organisations have developed the Safe Families models, which comprises a collaborative case management approach to working with young people who come into contact with the services, and a criss accommodation for young people proposal.

Coming Together for Young People

The Office of Crime Prevention and the Department of Health and Families met with young people engaging in volatile substance misuse, their families and other concerned community members. This group agreed to act as a reference group for and to participate in a broader group of stakeholders. This stakeholder group, know as 'Coming Together for Young People', is developing strategies for reducing volatile substance misuse through community education for businesses, providing structured activities for young people and support for young people and their families. The group's membership comprises a range of NT and Commonwealth Government Departments and service providers.

Across Government activities

Community Justice Centres

A pilot Community Justice Centre (CJC) commenced on 1 June 2003. The CJC offers dispute resolution in a number of matters, including neighbourhood disputes and small claims as well as victim offender conferencing. The CJC is located in Darwin, but services will be provided by panel of mediators throughout the Territory.

Youth Night Patrol

Government has funded Mission Australia to provide a Youth Night Patrol, referred to as 'Youth Beat', in Darwin and Palmerston. The Darwin Youth Beat Patrol is a mobile program, which commenced in December 2002. It is staffed by a full-time coordinator and four full-time youth workers and operates five nights a week covering the Casuarina business precinct, Malak, Karama and the northern suburbs. Existing service providers provide additional beds for homeless youth. Palmerston Youth Beat is implemented by Palmerston City Council and Mission Australia. Two workers are employed to patrol the Palmerston CBD area on Friday and Saturday nights, and additional funding has been provided for a worker to provide supported referrals to existing youth service providers during the day.

Juvenile Pre-Court Division Scheme

As the name suggests, this scheme is designed to divert juveniles away from the justice system and the courts. Courts are seen as a last resort for juveniles, except for more serious offences have been committed or if other options have been tried and failed to prevent re-offending. To be eligible for the Pre-Court Diversion Scheme, juveniles must meet certain conditions. More.

Community Youth Development Units (CYDU)

CYDUs are community based organisations that are designed to assist in the implementation and coordination of youth development programs provided by various government agencies and community based organisations.

The CYDUs aim to offer programs and services that will alleviate youth boredom, provide a sense of purpose and develop life skills that will reduce offending and assist the youth to become responsible members of their community. Programs provide access to a range of services such as education, sport, recreation, job training, life skills, counselling, mentoring, substance abuse, adventure, employment and community service activities. It is required that programs are adaptable, flexible, challenging, interesting and suit the individual needs of the juveniles and the community as a whole. A number of remote communities have sought funding to develop CYDUs under the Juvenile Diversion Scheme.

School Based Police (SBP)

SBP Officers (SBPO) play a vital role in the implementation of Crime Prevention Initiatives by providing information and access to school aged children and the wider community.

SBPO are not the disciplinarians of a school environment. However, they are members of staff and have a responsibility for school rules specific to each school. Policing in and around the school environment is the job of a School Based Police Officer. They conduct traffic duties and investigate crime in and around the school community. If an investigation is of a more complex nature they will draw on the resources of the appropriate section within the Northern Territory Police and will continue to have a role in the investigation. This ensures that there is a standard approach when dealing with young people at risk. More.

Domestic and Aboriginal Family Violence Strategies

One of the aims of the strategies is to work with young people affected or at-risk of being affected by domestic and family violence. More.

The Stop It Before It Starts educational program is designed to increase young people's awareness of the unacceptability of domestic violence and sexual assualt, and to build on their capacity to maintain healthy relationships.

The program can be delivered in school settings by school-based constables, school nurses and counsellors and teachers, as well as young people and community based organisations. For more information, contact the Office of Women's Policy in the Department of Health and Families on 8999 3884.

Darwin City Council Youth Projects

The Darwin City Council, provides information on Youth Projects. This page lists contact details on projects and information available to young people. More.

Other Programs and Services to help create a safer and more secure community

Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre Inc.

The DVIRC has developed a new website, Bursting the Bubble, in consultation with counsellors, teachers, child protection professionals, and teenagers in schools and youth refuges. The website provides: quizzes and checklists, to help young people recognise whether child abuse or domestic violence is happening in their families; ideas on how to deal with feelings and how to increase safety; and information about how services can help. There’s heaps of useful info and its user friendly. Check it out!

National Crime Prevention Program

Through its Community Grants Program, the Australian Government funds community groups for local projects designed to enhance community safety and crime prevention by preventing or reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, improving community safety and security, and reducing the fear of crime. More.