❓ The Attorney General outlines the positive impact of the Youth Connection Night Place in Fitzroy Crossing, highlighting its role in providing a safe space and support for vulnerable young people, and its potential to reduce crime.
AnsweredQoN 732Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
YOUTH CONNECTION NIGHT PLACE — FITZROY CROSSING
732. Ms D.G. D'ANNA to the Attorney General:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to keeping young people safe.
(1) Can the
Attorney General outline to the house how the new Night Place in Fitzroy
Crossing is providing a safe place for young people at night?
(2) Can the
Attorney General advise the house what this important facility means for the
wider Kimberley community?
732. Ms D.G. D'ANNA to the Attorney General:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to keeping young people safe.
(1) Can the
Attorney General outline to the house how the new Night Place in Fitzroy
Crossing is providing a safe place for young people at night?
(2) Can the
Attorney General advise the house what this important facility means for the
wider Kimberley community?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Kimberley for the question. In July, I had the pleasure of
visiting the legal assistance sector and Aboriginal health providers from
Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra alongside the member for
Kimberley; the federal Attorney-General, Mr Mark Dreyfus; and WA senator and
President of the Senate, Sue Lines. Whilst I was there, I witnessed the
incredible work that Aboriginal community health organisations are undertaking
to support vulnerable people in the Kimberley, including very young people in the Kimberley. I met with the
leaders of the Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation in Fitzroy
Crossing, led by Clinton Wolf and Patrick Green, which established the Youth
Connection Night Place in Fitzroy Crossing in September this year, with the
support of the Western Australia Police Force. The Night Place is a safe place
for at-risk children where they can engage with youth mentors and be connected
to other services to improve their social and emotional wellbeing. It also
provides them with food, basic hygiene, first aid supplies, a shower and a washing
machine.
Data from the first four weeks of
operation of Night Place in the Fitzroy Valley shows that 165 individual children have engaged with the service, with a total
of 845 interactions with young people recorded. On the first night alone, 15 children attended the Night
Place, extending to 30 children by the third night, eight of those aged under 10 and two six-year-olds. A manager at
the Night Place stated that the kids are loving the space and do not want to
leave. They said that the children are all respectful and some are using the
sensory toys provided. In the second
week, there were 50 kids at the centre at one time. The community of Fitzroy
Crossing has expressed its view that Night Place is meeting
an important community need, using a culturally appropriate and trauma-informed approach. Anecdotal reports
from Fitzroy Crossing suggest that it is contributing to a decrease in crime in the area, which means that
fewer people are interacting with the criminal justice system.
I
have worked with the Department of Justice to provide additional funding to
this important pilot program so that
it can remain open until the end of the year while longer term funding options
are considered. The service is making a real difference to the lives of
vulnerable children and young people living in Fitzroy Crossing. I commend Marra Worra Worra, WA Police, Fitzroy
Crossing, the member for Kimberley and the community for providing and
embracing such a wonderful space and initiative.
thank the member for Kimberley for the question. In July, I had the pleasure of
visiting the legal assistance sector and Aboriginal health providers from
Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra alongside the member for
Kimberley; the federal Attorney-General, Mr Mark Dreyfus; and WA senator and
President of the Senate, Sue Lines. Whilst I was there, I witnessed the
incredible work that Aboriginal community health organisations are undertaking
to support vulnerable people in the Kimberley, including very young people in the Kimberley. I met with the
leaders of the Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation in Fitzroy
Crossing, led by Clinton Wolf and Patrick Green, which established the Youth
Connection Night Place in Fitzroy Crossing in September this year, with the
support of the Western Australia Police Force. The Night Place is a safe place
for at-risk children where they can engage with youth mentors and be connected
to other services to improve their social and emotional wellbeing. It also
provides them with food, basic hygiene, first aid supplies, a shower and a washing
machine.
Data from the first four weeks of
operation of Night Place in the Fitzroy Valley shows that 165 individual children have engaged with the service, with a total
of 845 interactions with young people recorded. On the first night alone, 15 children attended the Night
Place, extending to 30 children by the third night, eight of those aged under 10 and two six-year-olds. A manager at
the Night Place stated that the kids are loving the space and do not want to
leave. They said that the children are all respectful and some are using the
sensory toys provided. In the second
week, there were 50 kids at the centre at one time. The community of Fitzroy
Crossing has expressed its view that Night Place is meeting
an important community need, using a culturally appropriate and trauma-informed approach. Anecdotal reports
from Fitzroy Crossing suggest that it is contributing to a decrease in crime in the area, which means that
fewer people are interacting with the criminal justice system.
I
have worked with the Department of Justice to provide additional funding to
this important pilot program so that
it can remain open until the end of the year while longer term funding options
are considered. The service is making a real difference to the lives of
vulnerable children and young people living in Fitzroy Crossing. I commend Marra Worra Worra, WA Police, Fitzroy
Crossing, the member for Kimberley and the community for providing and
embracing such a wonderful space and initiative.
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