Under the latest round of Criminal Property Confiscation Grants, the Department of Justice is directing up to $200,000 each to eight community projects aimed at helping at-risk young people and victims of crime.
The programs are run by not-for-profit groups and local governments across Perth and regional and remote WA.
They include a range of educational and recreational activities and practical skills like repurposing unwanted items into useful products.
Grants for this year’s round of funding have been awarded to:
- Shire of East Pilbara - $60,000 for a project to engage 10 to 17 year-olds who have offended or are at risk of antisocial behaviour. Activities will include a mural project in Newman aimed at reducing graffiti and volatile substance use, as well as hip-hop workshops in Newman, Nullagine and Marble Bar.
- Breakaway Aboriginal Corporation - $180,543 for a program where young people from Bunbury can interact with horses as a way of developing insights into the personal and emotional issues that can lead to misuse of drugs and offending.
- City of Canning - $50,247 to address antisocial behaviour and property damage in the City of Canning by getting people aged 12 to 25 involved in sport, wellness and urban art activities at the Willetton Sports Precinct.
- Alta 1 Kimberley College - $200,000 for a project aimed at young Aboriginal females who have been involved with the justice system in Kununurra. Handling horses will be part of the program to provide them with a balanced approach to learning and education, while mentors will support students to increase their attendance at school.
- Shire of Broome - $113,064 for late-night sporting activities on weekends for children and teens. While aiming to divert youth away from criminal activities, it will also train them to take on casual staff roles within the program. Local and State sporting identities will hold skills clinics and build positive relationships with participants.
- Sudbury Community House Association - $199,956 for an enterprise to help women in the Mirrabooka area who are victims of family and domestic violence obtain paid employment and build their careers. The project involves repurposing unwanted items into business products. A dedicated caseworker will support the women.
- Parkerville Children and Youth Care - $189,136 to expand its program supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse, and their families. Participants attend programs in Perth, Midland and Armadale, and will be supported by a Family Therapist as they go through the complex challenges of the investigative, child-protection and justice processes.
- Koya Aboriginal Corporation - $167,929 to provide a safe and supportive female-only space where vulnerable girls and young women in the City of Swan area can undertake activities on Friday and Saturday evenings and school holidays.
“The programs aim to keep young people away from the criminal justice system, boost mental health and improve school attendance as well as support victims of child sexual abuse and family violence,” Department of Justice Director General Dr Adam Tomison said.
“The grant scheme is a channel for confiscated funds to be returned to the West Australian community through programs which prevent and reduce the harmful effects of crime.”
The grants are funded by money and property seized under the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000.
Organisations can apply for grants of up to $200,000 to prevent or reduce drug-related crime, support victims of crime or to aid law enforcement.
Further information is available at the Criminal Property Confiscation Grants Program webpage.
