The Wire

Concerns about crime prevention came up for discussion when youth peak bodies joined together for talks this week – at the Statewide Youth Organisations Forum. The meeting was designed to bring together youth representatives to meet and consult with the Department of Communities’ Office of Youth. The Youth Affairs Network of Queensland Director Siyavash Doostkhah believes a lot more needs to be done about crime, particularly in the area of prevention and early intervention. He says we should be investing in prevention rather than punishment. Paul Wright from Impact, another agency represented at the forum, says part of the problem from the government’s point of view – is that there is not enough evidence about the effectiveness of prevention. Jason Kidd, from the Office for Youth, says development opportunities for young Indigenous leaders were also discussed. There is a general consensus that decision-makers need to work with the indigenous community in implementing the strategies for the young Indigenous leaders program.