Townsville Crime Prevention School Aims to Divert Youth

The Queensland government is taking a new approach to tackling youth crime with the announcement of a specialized crime prevention school in Townsville. The initiative, partnering with the Silver Lining Foundation, aims to re-engage at-risk young people in grades 7 to 12 who have fallen out of mainstream schooling by providing practical skills and therapeutic support.

Minister for Youth Justice, Victim Support, and Corrections, Laura Gerber, explained that this school, along with others planned for Ipswich and Rockhampton, operates under a specialized curriculum designed to address the specific needs of at-risk youth. The program seeks to provide a clear pathway into employment and away from criminal behavior by offering vocational hubs focused on skills like automotive training, rural operations, engineering, and construction.

“Many youth are falling through the cracks between primary and high school, falling into crime at a much younger age,” said Minister Gerber. “These comprehensive schools are a way of targeting that and providing a pathway for youth who are perhaps already on a pathway of antisocial behavior and crime.”

The program goes beyond just academic training. Recognizing the underlying challenges many of these young people face, the school will also offer wrap-around support services, including caseworkers, psychologists, and therapeutic measures for both the youth and their families. This holistic approach seeks to address the root causes of disengagement and create a supportive environment for positive change.

The Silver Lining Foundation, a partner in the initiative, brings significant experience in delivering specialist assistance schools. The school will prioritize hiring teachers with specific skills to mentor and support students, and ensuring staff well-being is a priority.