Anti-Social Behaviour is Unacceptable

Youth programs

The Northern Territory Government has a comprehensive, three-pronged reform plan to tackle youth crime in the Territory.

Parents are being made more accountable for their children’s actions following the introduction of Parental Responsibility Orders, the establishment of youth camps is underway and a Bill was introduced to prevent youth offenders being referred to diversion programs more than twice.

Youth camps
There are currently three youth camps operating in the Northern Territory – two in the Top End (near Batchelor and in outer Darwin) and one at Hamilton Downs near Alice Springs. Almost 100 young people have participated in the youth camps to 28 November 2008. The camps are designed to support and encouragement young people as they work through issues affecting their behaviour in the community, and most importantly to reinforce to them that their anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

Family Responsibility Agreements
These agreements hold parents accountable for their child’s anti-social behaviour or criminal activity. The contractual agreements require parents to better monitor their children and may require parents to attend counselling or guidance programs.

Family Responsibility Order
Parents who are unwilling to enter an agreement, or breach their agreement, may face a court-imposed Family Responsibility Order. Police may also seek a Family Responsibility Order where a youth has been charged with an offence or has breached a bail condition. If conditions of the Order are not met, parents will face fines of up to $2200 or the seizure of non-essential household items like plasma televisions and stereos, or a Community Work Order.

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