Young people offending (10-24 years)
Indicators (WA only)
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Policy context
A range of interconnected social and environmental factors - including family and community dysfunction, exposure to violence, social exclusion, poverty, disengagement from education, and substance abuse - play a significant role in increasing the likelihood of children and young people engaging in violent and antisocial behaviour.¹ ² ³
Recent research highlights the challenges faced by justice-involved young people in Australia. It found that 75.0% had experienced some form of non-sexual abuse, 44.0% had sustained at least one head injury with a loss of consciousness, and a substantial proportion reported high levels of psychological distress.⁴
Antisocial behaviour not only harms the individuals involved but also has a devastating impact on victims and their communities. It contributes to increased crime rates, victimisation, and a cycle of disadvantage. Victims often experience physical, emotional, and psychological harm, and communities face disruption, safety concerns, and a reduction in quality of life.
Preventing violent and antisocial behaviour among children and young people, and improving the outcomes for those who engage in such behaviour, is essential. The long-term economic and social costs of failing to intervene early are substantial.⁵ These costs encompass increased spending on addressing school disengagement, unemployment, poor physical and mental health, substance abuse, welfare support, and the criminal justice system.⁶ Early intervention is key to reducing these burdens and supporting young people in leading healthy, safe, and productive lives.
Gilmore L 1999, Pathways to prevention: Developmental and early intervention approaches to crime in Australia, National Crime Prevention, Attorney General’s Department, pp.7-10
Baldry E et al 2018, ‘Cruel and unusual punishment’: an inter-jurisdictional study of the criminalisation of young people with complex support needs, Journal of Youth Studies, Vol 21, No 5
Malvaso C 2017, Investigating the complex links between maltreatment and youth offending, Australian Institute of Family Studies
Muerk C et al 2019, Changing Direction: mental health needs of justice-involved young people in Australia, Kirby Institute, UNSW, p. 4
CoLab – Collaborate for Kids et al 2019, How Australia can invest in children and return more, A new look at the $15b cost of late action, CoLab – Collaborate for Kids, p. 5
Fox S et al 2015, Better Systems, Better Chances: A Review of Research and Practice for Prevention and Early Intervention, Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY), p. 35.
