Building Safer Communities (Safer Kids & Families) - Northern Territory Department of Justice

We don’t want our children or young people to be victims of crime and we don’t want them to commit crime.

By working together, the community and government can help set young Territorians on the path to positive participation in the social and economic life of the NT.

They are the future and integral to our efforts in Building Safer Communities.

The following websites will take you to relevant programs for the protection and nurturing of young Territorians.

Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services

Junior Police Rangers

The Junior Police Rangers (JPR) program has been in existence since 1984 and is run by the Northern Territory Police Force. The JPR program provides leadership and development opportunities for 75 young people over a three-year period.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program

The Territory led Australia with its School Based Constables scheme, piloted in 1984 at Casuarina High School. The 20 School Based Constables teach the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, covering all Territory High Schools and 81 per cent of primary school students. The Aboriginal Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) is currently being developed to bring relevant drug education to the remote communities. This program will be delivered by trained Aboriginal Community Police Officers.

Department of Health and Community Services

Building Healthier Communities

On 16 February 2004 , the Minister for Health and Minister for Family and Community Services launched Building Healthier Communities: A Framework for Health and Community Services 2004–2009. This framework provides the Northern Territory Government's vision for health and community services and a clear description of its priorities for ensuring that all Territorians enjoy long and healthy lives, and have a health and community services system that is responsive, accountable and effective.

Families website

This site is for Northern Territory families who are bringing up kids. This website has tips about parenting and living in families and links to other useful websites. You can also provide feedback on how to make the site more useful to you.

Caring for our Children website

The Department of Health and Community Services is undertaking two important initiatives as part of its reform agenda, 'caring for our children'. For more information on these initiatives and how you can participate in the NT reform agenda for children and families visit this website.

FACS

The Family and Children's Services (FACS) Program administers Northern Territory and Commonwealth funding to purchase and provide a range of services that address issues such as the protection and care of children and the improvement of individual and family well being.

Child Protection

In the Northern Territory any person who believes that a child is being, or has been, abused or neglected is required by law to report their concerns. Reports should be made to the nearest Family and Children's Services office. Your nearest office can be contacted by using the free phone number 1800 700 250. Remember, you do not need to prove abuse or neglect; you need only report your concerns. The Community Welfare Act provides legal protection against civil or criminal liability for people who make reports in good faith. The Act also makes it clear that making a report does not breach any requirements of confidentiality or professional ethics.

Department of the Chief Minister

Office of Youth Affairs

Create communities where young people can feel safe and secure

Just like other members of the community, feeling safe is important to young people. Through its Youth Policy Framework, Building a Better Future for young Territorians, the Northern Territory Government identifies the creation of communities where young people can feel safe and secure as one of its priorities.

Provide more opportunities for young people to have fun and develop new skills

Having access to a wide range of recreational and sporting activities is important for many young people. Through the Office of Youth Affairs, young Territorians have told Government that they want and expect recreation and entertainment opportunities of a high standard. They also want to be actively involved in the development of these activities to make sure that the activities are what they really want. Recreational, sporting and skill development activities and programs are an important way that the Government and the community can assist young people to reach their potential.

Mental Health

During Mental Health Week in October 2004, Ms Marion Scrymgour MLA, in her dual capacity as Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Young Territorians, launched the Mind your Mind Kit: Promoting positive mental health amongst young people. The kit is a set of fact sheets covering topical issues relevant to young Territorians, such as stress and coping, relationships, positive image, pressures and expectations from people and what to do if someone you know is having trouble coping.

Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs

Junior Sport Plan

The Junior Sport Plan focuses on delivering and promoting programs and initiatives that will encourage more young Territorians to participate in sport, especially in regional & remote areas.

Water Safety

Protecting the safety of young children remains a top priority within the Northern Territory . In June 2002 the Chief Minister, the Hon Clare Martin MLA, announced a Water Safety Plan. The Plan included the introduction of swimming pool fencing legislation, a Safe Pool Grant Scheme, a free Water Safety Awareness program for under 5 year olds and the establishment of a Northern Territory Water Safety Advisory Council.

Water safety is more than just pool fencing and requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach which includes community education and awareness programs regarding broader water safety issues. For more information contact the Water Safety Branch information line: 1300 301 059.

Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment

Junior Rangers

The Parks and Wildlife’s Junior Ranger Program is a free environmental based program for children aged between 9 and 14 years. Community Education Rangers deliver the Program with the assistance of Park Rangers in remote regions. The Junior Ranger Program aims to provide young people with the opportunity to discover their natural and cultural environment, develop scientific skills and contribute to the conservation of their environment through hands on activities conducted primarily within national parks and reserves.

Australian Government

Australia's National Drug Strategy

The National Drug Strategy, a cooperative venture between Australian, State and Territory Governments and the non-government sector, is aimed at improving health, social and economic outcomes for Australians by preventing the uptake of harmful drug use and reducing the harmful effects of licit and illicit drugs in our society.

Keeping Kids Safe Online (Virtual Global Taskforce)

Explore this site for information on how to stay safe online. Includes safety tips and links to lots of other useful websites.

Non-Government Information/Programs

Safety House

The Safety House Program is a community-based network of safe places in your local area. A Safety House can be a house, a shop or a business. Safety Houses provide assistance to anyone in the community especially children, should they feel unsafe, threatened or unsure. The program also aims to play a preventative role in community safety, providing a safer neighbourhood for our children.

Kids Help Line

Kids Help Line is a national telephone and web based counselling service for young people aged 5 to 18 years – it is free, anonymous and confidential. Free call 1800 55 1800.

Families and Schools Together (FAST) (Email: admin@ntcsa.nt.edu.au)

Working in a school setting, FAST uses a relationship building process and aims to: strengthen family functioning; prevent school failure by the selected child; prevent substance abuse by the child and other family members; and reduce stress from daily life situations.

E-Cruz (Email: ecruz@nt.redcross.org.au)

This is the Government’s Nightcliff Youth Activity Program for young people aged 10 to 15. There are heaps of different activities for young people to take part in. E-Cruz is run by the Australian Red Cross (NT Division).

Youth Hangout

This website was designed by young people in Alice Springs . It's an online forum where young people can share their stories, life experiences and problems.

Online resources

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Last Updated: 21/03/05