What we are seeking
We are asking the Victorian Government to provide additional funding for the Banyule Diverse Communities Project for the next 2 years. This is beyond the initial funding period so that the project can focus on further family capacity building and early intervention.
What it will deliver
We are pioneering a highly successful prevention program that redirects young people away from crime. We need ongoing funding to ensure the program can continue to operate.
What you can do
To help us deliver this priority, you can write to our Lower House Member of Parliament for this electorate or any of our Upper House Members of Parliament for their commitment to deliver funding for this project.
Overview
The Somali population is over-represented in crime statistics. With almost 10% of the Heidelberg West/Bellfield community of Somali background, our Diverse Communities Project is pioneering ways to divert Somali young people away from crime.
We have been delivering program activities since January 2022 (delayed from September 2021 because of COVID) after receiving a grant from the Building Safer Communities fund. Since then, almost 4,000 people have been involved in events and workshops or received individual support from staff.
The vast majority of participants are Somali-Australians aged 12 to 25. Many mothers of young people from the community have also been involved, and Muslim young people from other local culturally-diverse groups have shown interest in events.
According to the Victorian Child Adolescent Monitoring Framework, in this region, 18.2% of young people experience high levels of psychological distress, 42.8% report experiencing bullying and less than half (41.9%) can access mental health services when needed.
The Diverse Communities Project is testing a strength-based, capacity building, diversionary approach as a sustainable means of disrupting the local Somali-Australian youth crime issues. This approach aligns with Victoria’s Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020-2030, identifying that young people experiencing disadvantage are better served by having their needs met.
The project is successful because it uplifts the community. Led by Somali-Australian community members and workers, it is based on ongoing feedback and consultation. Some of the initiatives include:
- cultural-competency training
- parental capacity building activities and education programs
- employment support
- addressing the escalation of Somali-Australian inter-community violence (across Metro Melbourne regions)
- events to support health and wellbeing, cultural celebration and the positive profiling of young people
- individual and family support.