- Youth justice supports now operating in Geraldton, with new expanded bail services for young people
- Aboriginal Legal Service of WA's Youth Engagement Program has been extended to Geraldton, offering culturally secure mentoring and case management.
- Legal Aid WA to deliver a new service helping young people meet bail conditions and access support
The Cook Government has expanded its commitment to supporting young people in contact with the justice system, with new bail support services now operating in Geraldton.
As part of a $2.1 million initiative, the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA (ALSWA) and Legal Aid WA will provide tailored support for 10- to 17-year-olds in the Mid West city to meet bail conditions and address underlying causes of behaviour.
ALSWA's highly regarded Youth Engagement Program (YEP) has this month been extended to Geraldton, providing culturally secure support to Aboriginal young people.
The expansion builds on YEP's success in Perth and the Kimberley, where the program has helped reduce reoffending and improve youth wellbeing through mentoring, culturally safe case management, court support, and practical assistance to help young people integrate into community support networks.
Legal Aid WA has started operating a new Youth Bail Support service open to all young people in Geraldton. The service will be introduced in metropolitan Perth next year.
Both services offer holistic, wraparound support through assistance with transport, accommodation, education and training, appointment reminders, and referrals to health, welfare and justice-related programs.
These supports are designed to reduce the risk of further contact with the criminal justice system and promote long-term positive outcomes for young people and their communities.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"Expanding these youth bail services to Geraldton reflects the Cook Government's commitment to justice reinvestment and early intervention.
"By supporting young people to meet their bail conditions, we are helping to break cycles of disadvantage and build safer, stronger communities.
"The Youth Engagement Program has demonstrated its value in other regions, and I am pleased to see its reach extended to Geraldton.
"Legal Aid WA's new Youth Bail Support service will ensure that all young people, regardless of background, can access the support they need."
As stated by ALSWA chief executive officer Wayne Nannup:
"I'm extremely proud of the positive impact that ALSWA's Youth Engagement Program has on our First Nations young people and the community as a whole.
"Moving forward, we're excited to build a strong relationship with the Yamatji community as our successful and long-running YEP program is established in Geraldton."
As stated by Legal Aid WA director Helen De Brito:
"Legal Aid WA is excited to have the opportunity to provide additional support to vulnerable young people in the Geraldton community.
"We know from running similar programs in Perth that providing wraparound support during the bail period can help people comply with bail, improve their personal circumstances, and reduce the factors that lead to offending."
