Victoria's $40m youth crime program shows no effect on offending
Victoria's $40 million youth crime prevention program showed no measurable impact on youth offending.
The Victorian Auditor-General's Office found two-thirds of young people in the program offended within six months of starting. Youth crime incidents have reached record levels.
Youth crime incidents rose from 17,115 in 2022 to 23,893 last year. The audit also found the program did not know who it was helping.
It had poor record-keeping. A small group of repeat offenders is driving the rise.
The justice department accepted two key recommendations. One was setting minimum data requirements.
The other was improving record-keeping to support eligibility decisions.
- $40 million since 2016
- Program funding
- Two-thirds
- Reoffending rate within 6 months
- 17,115 incidents
- Youth offences 2022
- 23,893 incidents
- Youth offences last year
Why it mattersMillions in taxpayer money were spent on a program showing no results. This raises urgent questions about how Victoria tackles youth crime.
AustraliaVictorian state government's youth crime policy has failed to stem rising offending at a cost approaching 40 million dollars.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 d ago
