Victoria's Youth Crime Challenge: Experts Point to Vulnerabilities and Lockdowns
Adam Deacon, a child and youth forensic psychiatrist with nearly two decades of experience in Victoria's youth justice system, highlights the profound impact of pre-existing vulnerabilities on children's lives. These vulnerabilities, he notes, were significantly intensified by Melbourne's prolonged Covid-19 lockdowns, which he links to a subsequent rise in crime statistics.
"Many children have experienced life-changing 'sliding door moments' due to pre-existing vulnerabilities, intensified by Melbourne's prolonged Covid-19 lockdowns."
Over the past 18 months, Victoria has seen an increase in its crime rate, fueling public and political debate about a "youth crime crisis."
Crime Statistics Reveal Concerning Trends
Victoria Police reported a 9% rise in the crime rate in the 12 months leading up to September 2025. This surge has been largely attributed to repeat offenders, who were responsible for a quarter (25%) of all reported crime. Young people aged 12 to 17 have been identified as a particular concern. A specific group of 1,176 young offenders were arrested a combined 7,075 times, with children being responsible for a majority of serious offences, including robberies, carjackings, and home invasions.
Understanding the Roots: Vulnerabilities and Contributing Factors
While acknowledging the harm inflicted upon victims, Dr. Deacon emphasizes the crucial need to understand the children involved as a key step towards prevention. Through the community forensic youth mental health service, an early-intervention program, he regularly encounters at-risk young people at various stages of their development.
Common characteristics observed among these children include: backgrounds of disadvantage, trauma, abuse, or neglect; families with criminal histories, substance abuse, or mental illness; and the loss of parents, often leading to them living with relatives or within the child protection system. Many also present with complex neurological disorders or disabilities such as autism or ADHD, which are frequently diagnosed late.
Dr. Deacon notes that the Covid-19 lockdowns disproportionately affected this vulnerable group. A lack of education due to unstable housing or limited internet access often prevented their return to school, further exacerbating their challenges.
The Digital Dimension: Organized Crime and Online Influences
A worrying trend sees many young people being recruited into organized crime, receiving payments for committing acts such as car theft or firebombings. Dr. Deacon cited findings from a 2024 parliamentary inquiry, which revealed that children were reportedly paid as little as $500 for arson in incidents related to tobacco-related conflicts. He attributes this shift in recruitment tactics to the widespread use of mobile phones, which facilitate rapid connections by organized crime figures.
Concerns also extend to young people's exposure to inappropriate online content, including violence and pornography. Dr. Deacon mentioned the Netflix series "Adolescence" as an example of media influences that depict the complexities of youth offending.
Government Responds with New Laws and Funding
In November, the Victorian government introduced "adult time for violent crime" laws. These new measures allow serious violent offences committed by children to be tried in the county court, potentially leading to longer sentences than the children’s court maximum of three years. These laws have faced significant criticism from legal and human rights organizations.
Concurrently, the government announced substantial funding commitments:
- $19.8 million to establish the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), drawing inspiration from Glasgow's successful initiative.
- $33 million dedicated to youth early-intervention and community safety programs.
- $26.7 million specifically allocated to Dr. Deacon's community forensic youth mental health service under the umbrella of the VRU.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt stated that this funding would enable earlier access to support for young people. Dr. Deacon confirmed that the increased funding would allow his service to accept more referrals, including from child protection, and launch a pilot program in schools for children in years 5 to 7 who exhibit concerning behaviors. He continues to advocate for a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of these behaviors to facilitate earlier intervention and provide crucial opportunities for at-risk youth.