Act for Kids urges Townsville’s MPs to take on long-term solutions to youth crime
Years of abuse and neglect cannot be undone by a bootcamp, says a child advocacy centre, which is pushing Townsville MPs to deal with the root causes of youth crime.
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YEARS of abuse and neglect cannot be undone by a bootcamp, says a child advocacy centre, which is pushing Townsville MPs to deal with the root causes of youth crime.
Act for Kids executive director of public affairs Stephen Beckett said “there’s no quick fix” to stemming the city’s crime epidemic in wake of former premier Campbell Newman’s push for the State Government to bring back bootcamps.
Mr Beckett said the idea was a “disaster”, and politicians needed to think about a long-term solutions.
“It takes time. I acknowledge that may not be popular, but if you want to change the behaviour it takes a lot of work,” Mr Beckett said.
The organisation slapped back after Mr Campbell said his government's idea should be revisited in wake of shocking youth crime.
The State Government’s bail laws were also put under the spotlight after two teenagers, both on bail, left a Brisbane couple and their unborn baby dead, and two Townsville police officers injured, in separate incidents.
A teenager who allegedly killed a Brisbane couple was on bail, and injured two Townsville police officers were on bail at the time.
Mr Beckett said the program had no impact on the behaviour of young offenders.
“We are recommending the government and community adopt evidence-based, intensive programs that work with young offenders that are designed to hit the deep root of offending,” Mr Becket said.
There types of programs looked like “wraparound services”, which involved physiological intervention, family support and giving children a safe place to live.
“There children have probably been impacted by domestic violence, drugs, alcohol, and they have no stable environment to live, and often no positive adult giving them guidance.”
“You can’t undo years of child abuse and neglect overnight.”
Mr Beckett said Townsville’s MPs, Scott Stewart, Les Walker and Aaron Harper, were “heavily engaged” and showing “a willingness” to adopt intensive programs.
“This is an issue beyond politics.”
“If you want to end youths crime, we have to deal with the root causes.
“The challenge is the politics of wanting a quick fix.”
Mr Beckett there was some exceptions to this type of therapy.
“Now, that said, if young people are a risk to themselves and the community, then of course detaining them is a valid option … sometimes it’s the only option.”
“The people of Townsville have a right to be safe in their community.”
Originally published as Act for Kids urges Townsville’s MPs to take on long-term solutions to youth crime
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