YOUTH VIOLENCE TASKFORCE HOLDS ITS FIRST MEETING
Published Tuesday, 07 November, 2006 at 04:30 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Queensland’s new Youth Violence Taskforce has met for the first time – and is now calling on the public to make submissions.
Police Minister and Taskforce Chair Judy Spence said interested members of the public can submit their ideas on issues and concerns in relation to violence and young people via email on the Queensland Police Service website.
“The response from the public has been overwhelming since our announcement last month that we would set up this Taskforce,” Ms Spence said.
“Yesterday’s inaugural meeting provided Taskforce members with a number of presentations to give them a good introduction to the situation statewide.
“Over the next month members have been asked to consult with their community and peers to provide a list of their top five issues and concerns about youth violence, ahead of their next meeting in early December.
“We have done this as we want their thoughts and ideas on areas to focus on in projects that the taskforce will undertake over the next 12 months.
“We are now also calling on the community to email us with their ideas or suggestions to ensure we get a comprehensive statewide approach to this issue.”
Ms Spence said people could make submissions via an email link at www.police.qld.gov.au.
Ms Spence said yesterday’s first meeting of the Taskforce had looked at the idea of setting up a Youth Crime Stoppers Program.
“We will give this idea further consideration at a government level, but certainly the idea won support from taskforce members yesterday,” Ms Spence said.
“Members also requested a statistical breakdown on teenage binge drinking to discuss at next month’s meeting.”
Co-Chair of the Taskforce, Warren Pitt, said there needed to be a dual focus on the incidence as well as the causes of youth violence.
“I’m sure that some of the causes will be specifically related to youth behaviour, just as I am sure that other causes will not be limited to young people but will apply across a wide range of age groups,” Mr Pitt said.
“I believe strongly that there has to an emphasis on prevention and early intervention strategies so that we can avoid or eliminate much of the violent behaviour from happening in the first place.”
Taskforce members will meet once a month to canvas a range of issues over the next year. The next meeting is in December.
Media contact: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287
Police Minister and Taskforce Chair Judy Spence said interested members of the public can submit their ideas on issues and concerns in relation to violence and young people via email on the Queensland Police Service website.
“The response from the public has been overwhelming since our announcement last month that we would set up this Taskforce,” Ms Spence said.
“Yesterday’s inaugural meeting provided Taskforce members with a number of presentations to give them a good introduction to the situation statewide.
“Over the next month members have been asked to consult with their community and peers to provide a list of their top five issues and concerns about youth violence, ahead of their next meeting in early December.
“We have done this as we want their thoughts and ideas on areas to focus on in projects that the taskforce will undertake over the next 12 months.
“We are now also calling on the community to email us with their ideas or suggestions to ensure we get a comprehensive statewide approach to this issue.”
Ms Spence said people could make submissions via an email link at www.police.qld.gov.au.
Ms Spence said yesterday’s first meeting of the Taskforce had looked at the idea of setting up a Youth Crime Stoppers Program.
“We will give this idea further consideration at a government level, but certainly the idea won support from taskforce members yesterday,” Ms Spence said.
“Members also requested a statistical breakdown on teenage binge drinking to discuss at next month’s meeting.”
Co-Chair of the Taskforce, Warren Pitt, said there needed to be a dual focus on the incidence as well as the causes of youth violence.
“I’m sure that some of the causes will be specifically related to youth behaviour, just as I am sure that other causes will not be limited to young people but will apply across a wide range of age groups,” Mr Pitt said.
“I believe strongly that there has to an emphasis on prevention and early intervention strategies so that we can avoid or eliminate much of the violent behaviour from happening in the first place.”
Taskforce members will meet once a month to canvas a range of issues over the next year. The next meeting is in December.
Media contact: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287