As a Senior Youth Justice Officer in Fitzroy Crossing, Jasmine (known as Jaye to the many families she assists) has dedicated over a decade to helping young people turn their lives around.
Born and raised in the community she now serves, Jasmine's career began with a pilot program in 2015 that has since grown into an essential service for 32 remote Aboriginal communities within a 200 km radius.
"Our main goal is to keep people out of the justice system through prevention and diversion," Jasmine explains. "In this role, you’ve got to be passionate, curious, and open to learning something new every single day.
For Jasmine, being a Senior Youth Justice Officer is more than a job; it's a commitment to understanding and addressing the root causes of offending.
"Offending is really just a symptom," she says. "What we focus on is getting to the root causes - the deeper issues that lead someone down that path."
Jasmine and her team provide important cultural support, connecting young people with essential services and helping them navigate legal and administrative challenges.
Her work involves interpreting in court, explaining legal conditions, and helping young people obtain documents like birth certificates.
One of the biggest hurdles is the language barrier, as more than five traditional Aboriginal languages are spoken in the Fitzroy Valley.
While officers aren't expected to be fluent in every language, Jasmine says a willingness to learn is essential.
" When you speak their language, young people are more likely to open up; it really helps build trust and better communication.”
For Jasmine, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing small wins that lead to significant change. Seeing a young person show up for a meeting, stay out of trouble, or achieve a personal goal is what drives her.
She remembers one young man who, with her team’s support, turned his life around by focusing on his football career.
He has since stayed out of trouble and gone on to represent the Kimberley spirit in games in Broome and Perth.
Choosing a career in Fitzroy Crossing comes with some unique perks - like short commutes and no traffic lights!
But more importantly, it offers the chance to make a real difference. "It's not just a job," Jasmine says. "Helping others make real improvements in their lives is so rewarding and adds purpose to everything
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