Building safer reporting pathways for young people in Victoria

ACROSS Victoria, schools, youth organisations and community services are facing growing challenges around bullying, intimidation, exclusion and emerging youth-crime risks.

Yet many young people still struggle to speak up early, often due to fear, stigma or a lack of trusted reporting pathways.

To help address this gap, YouthGuard AI has been developed as an Australian-built digital reporting platform designed to support safer, earlier intervention for young people and the communities around them.

Founded by Geelong-based social entrepreneur Abibu Sheriff, YouthGuard AI provides a secure, anonymous way for young people to report concerns such as bullying, threats, discrimination, weapon-related behaviour and other safety issues before they escalate.

The platform is designed to complement – not replace – the work already being done by schools, youth workers, community organisations and local services.

Unlike traditional reporting systems that rely heavily on formal complaints or adult-led processes, YouthGuard AI focuses on reducing friction for young people.

Reports can be submitted quickly, without identifying information, and are structured to help community responders identify patterns, emerging risks and support needs at an early stage.

“Too often, intervention happens only after harm has already occurred,” Sheriff said. “YouthGuard AI is about creating safer pathways for young people to speak up earlier, in a way that feels accessible and non-threatening.”

The platform has been shaped through engagement with community leaders, youth-facing professionals and local stakeholders across Victoria, including discussions with educators, health professionals and youth-crime prevention specialists.

This feedback has informed a strong focus on privacy, data minimisation and trauma-aware design – critical considerations when working with young people.

YouthGuard AI also reflects a broader shift toward using technology to support community-led prevention rather than reactive enforcement. By helping organisations identify trends and risk signals earlier, the platform aims to support better coordination, targeted support and safer outcomes for young people.

While YouthGuard AI is currently in its early deployment phase, further pilots and partnerships are planned across Victoria in 2026, with a long-term vision of scaling nationally.

The project forms part of Sheriff’s wider work at the intersection of technology, social impact and community resilience, including complementary initiatives focused on crisis reporting and public safety.

“As communities, we already have dedicated people doing the work,” Sheriff said. “What’s often missing is the right tool to connect information early and responsibly. That’s the role YouthGuard AI is designed to play.”

More information about the platform and its development is available at youthguardai.com

Founder profile

Abibu Sheriff is a UK-born, Geelong-based social entrepreneur working at the intersection of technology, public safety and community impact. He is the founder of YouthGuard AI and has previously led community-focused initiatives in financial education, crisis reporting and social innovation. His work focuses on building practical, ethical technology to support early intervention and safer outcomes for communities in Australia and beyond.

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