Funds to fight lure of Apex gang for young Pacific Islanders
UP to $600,000 will be used to target Young Pacific Islanders in Victoria who are being groomed to become foot soldiers by crime gangs such as Apex.
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UP to $600,000 will be used to target Young Pacific Islanders in Victoria who are being groomed to become foot soldiers by crime gangs such as Apex.
The State Government funding for the Young Pasifika Program will target young men who are at risk, and reconnect them to school and jobs in the bid to divert them from a life of crime.
It comes after the Sunday Herald Sun revealed adult criminals had been turning to young Islanders to provide muscle in a range of criminal activities including robberies, collecting debts and assaulting enemies.
A growing number of Islander boys have also entered Victoria’s youth justice system with sources saying up to 40 per cent of Malmsbury were Islander in 2016.
The latest funding also comes after several members from Melbourne’s violent Apex gang have been deported.
Henry Robati, 19, a New Zealand national, had his visa cancelled and left Australia on April 11 last year.
Two others will be expelled once they have served prison sentences for crimes including assaults, armed robberies, home invasions and car thefts.
MORE: Teen lifts lid on Victoria’s violent youth gangs
Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos said the community faced a number of challenges including kids dropping out of schools, alcohol, drugs and racism.
“The Andrews Labor Government is supporting young people in Pacific Islander communities by improving their social, community and economic opportunities,’’ she said.
“This funding will help give young Pacific Islanders the opportunities and support they need to reach their potential.”
Disengagement from high school is considered the prominent trigger for young men to turn to crime and youth outreach workers will be used to engage young people through sport, churches and local government programs.
The program will be rolled out in Casey and Wyndham, and expanded into Brimbank and Dandenong.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott said the Islander community needed support.
“It’s an unfortunate truth that youths in certain communities are at greater risk of dropping out of school or work, engaging in risky behaviour and suffering racism and discrimination.”