For many Victorians, Blue Light discos are a cherished part of childhood memories. The organisation behind those unforgettable nights, Blue Light Victoria (BLV) has undergone a profound transformation since its beginnings in 1976.
Today, we stand as a vital force for youth engagement, working to keep young people engaged with school and connected to their community —and out of the justice system.
At a time when youth crime is a key community concern, we are the only youth-focused organisation partnering with Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police, and emergency services in all our programs. These partnerships are vital in building trust with young people and promoting community safety.
Through our proactive approach, we aim to intervene early. We reach those who are at risk of disengaging from school, their community and their families. We want to keep our kids in school and our communities safe.
This is needed more than ever. In Victoria, new figures show the average cost for community-based supervision is $517 per young person per day, costing government almost $80 million annually. Many would be shocked to learn that the average cost per day for keeping a young person in custody is around $7,775, totalling more than $260 million annually. In contrast, an eight-week BLV program costs around $88 per student per day, and has been independently verified as making a real difference. These figures underscore the urgent need for preventative programs like those run by BLV, which offer a far more effective and cost-efficient solution, providing a smarter, more sustainable approach.
The impacts of youth crime are well-documented, consistently showing that early interactions with the justice system influences long-term outcomes. Young people become trapped in a cycle of disadvantage, with serious long-term consequences for them and society.
Research overwhelmingly supports early intervention and prevention as the most effective ways to steer young people in the right direction. Early intervention delivers proven results, preventing costly downstream issues such as school failure, welfare dependency, poor health, mental health issues, and further involvement in the justice system.
By acting early and prioritising prevention, we can break the cycle, reduce crime, lower future costs to taxpayers, and create lasting positive change for individuals and society alike. Put simply – this approach works!
Holding young people accountable is important, but real change comes from addressing the root causes of their offending. This approach needs real action and investment from government. Without meaningful and sustained government funding, we risk losing the opportunity to create real and lasting change.
Elissa Scott, CEO Blue Light Victoria
