Criminal choice

A PROGRAM highlighting the consequences of crime is preventing troublesome teens from getting a criminal record by helping them make better choices.
Victoria Police and Cardinia Shire Council have been deterring young offenders through the PAST:C program, which stands for Putting A Stop To Crime.
And their efforts have been highly successful with only five per cent of participants re-offending.
Every young person, aged 10 to 17, who receives a caution in Cardinia for minor offences must complete the program with their parent or primary care-giver.
Leading Senior Constable and youth resource officer Helen Marsham said few teens re-offended after they realised the devastating effects a criminal record could have on their future.
“The young offender gets a full awareness of the consequences if they re-offend,” Leading Sen Const Marsham said.
“Once it’s broken down into terms they understand they do get it.”
The council’s youth project officer Andrew Bethune said about 130 young people had already taken part in the PAST:C program, which is funded through the National Community Crime Prevention Program.
Mr Bethune said it was important that young people understood how a criminal record would affect their future.
“Family, social networks, community, opportunities for employment and travel are all seriously affected by having a criminal record,” he said.
“PAST:C acts as a valuable life-lesson while providing a final warning to young offenders who have committed minor offences, giving them an opportunity to avoid attending court.”
Mr Bethune said participants were offered support options at the conclusion of the program, including counselling and referrals to services for anger management and substance abuse as well as those with links to education and employment.
“This program takes a proactive approach of re-educating participants through positive interaction with youth workers and Victoria Police, in hope of creating a change of mindset away from negative behaviour,” Mr Bethune said.
Leading Sen Const Marsham said the program also educated young people on what to do if they found themselves in a situation where their peers were pressuring them to commit a crime.
“They can say ‘I am in trouble with the coppers’, if that’s what it takes,” she said.
“We don’t want to see them in the (judicial) system.”
Leading Sen Const Peter Henderson is also educating teens about the effects of a criminal record, after officially joining the team yesterday (Wednesday).