POLICE, youth workers and educators have vowed to take a united approach to helping troubled young people in the west following a youth violence summit organised last Tuesday by Footscray-based youth worker Les Twentyman.
The summit, ‘Keeping kids in the classroom and out of the courtroom’, was organised in response to what Mr Twentyman called “the growing rate of youth violence” gripping Melbourne’s west.
Senior police, educators, students and migrant leaders attended the meeting.
Detective Superintendent Pat Boyle said gang violence had reached unprecedented levels, and he urged the community to work together to tackle the issue. “Police can’t do it alone. We need teachers, the government and youth workers to work together on this.”
Detective Superintendent Boyle said there were proven links between truancy and youth gang violence. “Teachers need to not only understand but be aware of what a gang presence looks like in the school environment and how to intervene.”
Braybrook African community leader Abeselom Nega told the summit hundreds of troubled youths had sought help from youth education group iEmpower in the past year. As the organisation’s chief executive, he said migrants and refugees were particularly vulnerable. “Our target group is mainly migrants and refugees, many of African background who may be discriminated against or disadvantaged due to poverty and learning difficulties.”
Mr Nega said he wanted a strategy in place so youth workers could work in schools and guide students on alternative pathways.
He also called on police to take a proactive approach and educate troubled youth about the legal and justice system, rather than inflicting harsh punishment.
iEmpower youth worker Marian Ali said many teenagers had already lost hope by the time they were referred to the centre. “It’s devastating to see young people, many with so much potential, struggle to fit into the community.”
Mr Twentyman said youth in the west were dealing with a “tidal wave of issues” and urged the state government, police and senior educators to step in.
He called for alternative education centres to be established for troubled youth to keep them engaged through specialised learning. “For many disadvantaged kids, life is like treading water or just waiting to drown.
“Just because these kids are disengaged doesn’t mean they have no brains; they just have no opportunity. Education gives you the power to make choices.”
Life on the streets: Pages 10-11
