How Scotland’s successful youth crime reduction program could work in Victoria

Alongside several tough-on-crime policies, the Allan government has recently announced a new state initiative to address Victoria’s crime problem through early intervention.

The new initiative would closely replicate a program that was successful in combating a growing rate of violent crimes in Scotland.

Press PLAY to hear how the intervention program could work in Victoria

Associate Professor Dr Xanthe Mallett, from Central Queensland University, told Tom Elliott that a “key element” of the program is mentorship.

“The plan is to look at why young people get involved in crime and move them away from that,” Ms Mallett said.

“Mentoring is a key element of that, but it’s a lot more complicated and uses experts and those with lived experience to basically change the future of these young people’s lives.”

Image: Getty Images/Michael Willson