Aboriginal-led programs for vulnerable young people and to keep the community safe as part of the Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy will receive an additional $9.7 million over the next two years.
On Saturday the Western Australian government announced the funding as part of the Strategy (KJJS), which it described as a key component of its response to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Kimberley MP Divina D'Anna, Attorney General John Quigley and Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia said in a joint statement that the Strategy "works to address Aboriginal over-representation in the justice system, as well as improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal young people".
The WA government has allocated $4.4 million towards night patrols and place-based youth activities to keep young people safe, out of trouble and off the streets throughout the Kimberley.
An allocation of $3.5 million will allow for the continuation of the successful Night Space pilot programs in Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, which provide a safe place for children who may have nowhere else to go as well as meals and access to wraparound services provided in a culturally appropriate way.
The programs have already shown positive outcomes with more than 400 individual young people engaging with these services and more than 4,100 total interactions since being established earlier this year.
The Fitzroy Crossing Youth Connection Night Place has coincided with a remarkable fall in youth offending in the town, which local police have credited to the program.
The Ngurra Buru Night Space in Broome is run by Kullarri Regional Communities Indigenous Corporation and the Night Place in Fitzroy Crossing by Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation.
Ms D'Anna said "these vital initiatives provide safety for the local community and our young people with support and Aboriginal-led mentoring".
"I am proud to be part of a Government that is focused on delivering services and improved outcomes for children across the Kimberley," she said.
Additional funds will also help North Regional TAFE continue to deliver the Young and Deadly program, which is a culturally responsive 10-week program for young people referred by Youth Justice Services in Broome and Kununurra.
The West Kimberley Youth Engagement Program run by the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA will also be extended to provide juveniles with mentoring and help to comply with the requirements of their bail and court orders.
Mr Quigley said the state government understands the importance that grassroots programs play in supporting young people in the region.
"I recently visited the Kimberley and saw firsthand the positive work being undertaken by organisations like Marra Worra Worra in helping to engage and support young people in the town," he said.
"These programs have demonstrated that they can successfully engage with our youth in culturally appropriate and trauma-informed ways."
Mr Papalia said the government understands there is a need for more services for our young people in the Kimberley, and keeping children safe and protecting the community is a priority.
"Our almost $10 million commitment will allow for the continuation of important initiatives across the region like the Night Space programs, which are supported by the WA Police Force," he said.
"These programs are also helping to connect hundreds of juveniles with wraparound wellbeing services and contributing to a decrease in crime in the area, which means fewer young people coming into contact with the justice system."
