The Department of Justice and Community Safety has launched a new strategy to tackle the root causes of crime and build safer, more connected Victorian communities.
Minister for Crime Prevention, Natalie Hutchins said the Department’s Crime Prevention Strategy recognised that each community had the expertise, knowledge and ideas to design the solutions that were right for them.
“The Strategy sets out a joined-up approach across different areas of Government to work in partnership with community groups, local councils, businesses and support services to build these connections,” Ms Hutchins said.
“It aims to get Victorian communities engaged in local solutions to prevent crime – to reduce contact with the criminal justice system, get more people connected with early support, and ultimately safer communities,” she said.
“This approach reflects more than two years of work across three key action areas – addressing the root causes of offending, connecting people and communities with the right support at the right time, and building on the evidence of the most effective ways to prevent crime.”
Ms Hutchins said the Strategy would help reduce the significant economic, social and personal costs of crime.
The Minister said almost $20 million had been allocated to the Strategy to deliver initiatives under its key action areas, including extending 15 Youth Crime Prevention Grant projects and funding more community-led projects to address the causes of crime and intervene early for young people at risk.
“By intervening early and investing in housing, education and employment, we can help to reduce the significant economic, social and personal costs of crims,” she said.
The Department’s 17-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
