Kids: Joan Scott outside Geelong Police Station
Andrew Mathieson
VOLUNTEERS will sit with “vulnerable” children to help them through police interviews in Geelong under a new program.
Youth Referral and Independent Person Program coordinator Vivianne Dias said police had instigated the initiative under new laws to help children as young as 12 deal with arrests and going into custody.
Ms Dias said the volunteers would attend police interviews with children aged under 18 in the absence of parents or guardians to link them with welfare and support services.
The volunteers would attend stations to check on children’s welfare and provide advice on their legal rights, she said, because lawyers were rarely involved in the interview process.
Ms Dias said the initiative had already been “positive” for several children who did not trust police.
Few children who ended up in custody had parents “in their life”, she said.
“The program was set up because young people are vulnerable and there is certainly the potential for the power imbalance between a police officer and a young person.”
She said most children in custody faced charges of shoplifting, property damage or assault.
“Occasionally we’re called in for more serious offences but they’re quite rare.”
Ms Dias said the aim of the program was to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
The program also provided police with “further support” when dealing with young offenders.
Ms Dias said police found the volunteers “incredibly helpful” when dealing with youths in custody.
Police had previously contacted “known volunteers” under a previous “ad-hoc” system.
Geelong and Corio police stations were recruiting volunteers for the program.
