Mission Australia’s crime prevention program for young people from Pacific Islands backgrounds and their families, the Pacifika Support Service has been named the NSW winner of the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards.

The Awards, to be presented at Parliament House on 6 March, recognise programs that have significantly contributed to the reduction of crime and violence in the community.

According to Mission Australia’s Jioji Ravulo, from 2005 to 2007, 65 per cent of Pacifika Support Service clients did not commit any crimes 12 months after completing the program.

Funded by the Department of Community Services, the Program provides intensive case management support to 80 young people per year;  young people living in Campbelltown, Liverpool and Bankstown, aged 12 to 17 years and that local Police have identified as ‘at risk’.

“Most of our clients are referred to us by the Campbelltown and Macquarie Fields Police Stations,” Mr Ravulo said.

“The Pacifika Support Service has been successful in not just reducing crime, almost 70 per cent of our clients said that they achieved their goals after completing the program. Some of the clients go onto training or into jobs.

“The program has also helped encourage young people to stay in school, helped them reconnect with the community and improved relationships with families.

“Unfortunately, funding for the Pacifika Support Service runs out in June. We’re currently looking for new funding partners to support this very successful and worthwhile program,” Mr Ravulo said.

www.missionaustralia.com.au