Crime and Violence Prevention Award 2017

Encounter Youth’s school program was recognised for empowering young Australians to socialise safely.

Encounter Youth’s school program, Party Safe Education™, today received a bronze award in the community-led category of the 2017 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards (ACVPA).

The ACVPAs recognise best practice in the prevention or reduction of violence and other types of crime in Australia.

“Our interactive program, Party Safe Education™, equips young Australians in secondary schools, as well as parents and community members, to prevent and reduce alcohol-related crime,” said Mr Nigel Knowles, Chief Executive Officer at Encounter Youth.

“We have adopted an early intervention crime prevention approach to educate participants about alcohol fuelled violence, sexual assault, drink driving and antisocial behaviour, empowering young people to reduce risk factors and promote social responsibility.

“We feel honoured that Encounter Youth is being recognised for our contribution to the community, as we’ve been working closely with schools for the past fourteen years.

“Our alcohol and other drug education program is fuelled by our desire to see young people engage in safer, more meaningful celebrations across Australia,”Mr Knowles said.

These annual awards recognise the outstanding contributions being made across Australia for crime prevention, including the development and implementation of practical projects to reduce violence and other types of crime in the community.

“Encounter Youth’s Party Safe Education™ program targets alcohol and other drug education, at risk behaviours, the prevention of assaults, and promotes safe driving through education programs,” said acting Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) Director, Nicole Rose PSM.

“The program promotes attitude change, not just among its target group of 14-18 year olds, but also in parents and teachers, equipping them with knowledge of warning signs and motivations behind violence, along with practical strategies to respond to aggressive behaviour, while instilling a sense of social responsibility from a young age.”

All projects are assessed each year by the ACVPA Board, which consists of senior law enforcement representatives from each state and territory police service, and chaired by the acting AIC Director.

South Australia ACVPA Board representative, Senior Sergeant Neil Hodgson, said the Encounter Youth’s Party Safe Education Program™ is an essential service that provides relevant information to young people and parents, to assist in preventing and reducing alcohol fuelled violence which is of great concern to not only police but to the wider community.

“Encounter Youth are a worthy recipient of the bronze award in the community led category for 2017,” said Senior Sergeant Hodgson.

The awards are a joint initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments, coordinated by the AIC and co-sponsored by the Law, Crime and Community Safety Council.

For more information about the award winners, visit www.aic.gov.au/acvpa.

To view the latest crime and justice statistics visit www.crimestats.aic.gov.au.

AIC Media: (02) 6268 7343
media@acic.gov.au