Violent teens plan backed by police

By Jessica Craike
DANDENONG Police have thrown their support behind an initiative tackling teen aggression that will try to reduce sexual and domestic violence.
The news comes as police revealed Dandenong’s crime rate jumped 10.8 per cent over the past 12 months.
The program emerged from a high number of intervention orders and juvenile sexual offences in the Dandenong region.
It starts in October and enlists family, friends and schools to help troubled teens.
Teenagers aged 13 to 17 are targeted, especially adolescents with a history of criminal behaviour.
Attorney-General Rob Hulls said: “Evidence shows that teenage boys exposed to violence in the family home can go on to use violence as adults.”
The State Government has recognised family violence as a statewide problem and has allocated $35.1 million in funding to break the cycle of aggression and violence, Mr Hulls said.
“If we can help young men during this critical period we can turn their lives around,” he said.
Mr Hulls believes the implementation of the family violence program will make communities safer.
New police statistics show a 10 per cent crime rise in Dandenong.
Dandenong Superintendent Chris Ferguson said theft and assault offences had increased in the city.
“The theft of petrol is increasing across the board,” he said.
He believed financial stress from petrol prices was affecting everyone including families.
Supt Ferguson said family violence was a concern in the Dandenong area.
This year alone, assault cases in Dandenong increased by 3.4 precent.
An improved code of practice is in action by police with a strict no tolerance approach towards family violence.
Previously, police officers treated family violence with discretion, Supt Ferguson said.
He said the reality was that children who were exposed to violence will replicate it and agreed that an educational program was necessary.
He urged abuse victims to come forward and said police “are here to help, protect and provide a safer environment”.
Supt Ferguson said police are instructed to remove children from volatile situations, enforce intervention orders and press charges.