Shining a blue light on youth safety

YOUTH safety and wellbeing support provider Blue Light Victoria has been awarded two million dollars under the Federal Government’s new U25-GO program.

The program has been designed to support crime prevention and drug diversion initiatives for youth under the age of 25 at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Speaking at the program announcement in Bendigo, Blue Light Victoria CEO Elissa Scott said the funding will allow an additional 1200 young people to take part.

“We are so grateful and very excited about the opportunity to now deliver more services and more programs to young people across the state,” she said.

“Blue Light’s aim is to really get in early and act early before issues arise.

“Often young people come to us when they’re really disengaged, and what we know about (them) is that, in terms of protective factors, they need connection (and) engagement.

“They (also) need someone to walk alongside them and trust in the fact that they can make some really positive, healthy and safe choices. That’s what Blue Light does.”

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, who also attended the announcement, said the $2 million would help Blue Light provide programs tailored for young people depending on their particular needs. “We need to look at (more) ways to keep people out of the criminal justice system,” he said.

“It’s very often one-on-one counselling, but it’s also working with families, (or) different groups of selected young people. “I know from previous contact with the Blue Light organisation just how useful the work they do is. We’re aiming to keep on supporting that work, because we know how good it can be.”