Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program (AYCP) Review
Victoria Police
Who funded the project
The Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program (AYCP) was developed in collaboration with Aboriginal communities and in accordance with principles of Aboriginal self-determination outlined within the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement Phase 4 (AJA4). The aim of the AYCP is to increase and enhance the use of police cautioning through a community-led model, based on principles of early intervention, harm reduction and community involvement, to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal young people in the criminal justice system. Initially established as a pilot program, the AYCP has now expanded into an ongoing State-wide program, operating for over four years.
Karabena Consulting was engaged by Victoria Police to review the AYCP. The review is critical to informing the program’s future direction and the extent to which the current AYCP model is aligned with its objective.
Using purposive sampling, consultations brought together local police, Aboriginal service providers, Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs), Local Aboriginal Justice Action Committees (LAJACs) and community representatives. These stakeholder groups represented key data sources relevant to the aims of the AYCP.
Karabena developed region-specific consultation guides to identify examples of good practice, collect information on operational challenges, and elicit solutions or opportunities for improvement. Each consultation focused on three key review areas as per the project brief:
Critical assessment of the AYCP current operating procedures in each region.
Critical assessment of the responsibilities of all involved parties.
Identifying implementation challenges and potential solutions or opportunities for improvement.
Following these consultations, a summary report with recommendations was provided to Victoria Police. These recommendations aim to address key challenges and operational inconsistencies identified during the review for the program to remain culturally safe, effective, and adaptable to local needs.
Summary
The review aimed to:
examine the extent to which the current AYCP model aligns with its stated objective
consider Aboriginal stakeholders’ perceptions of whether the AYCP is operating as intended
inform recommendations to better address the causal factors of Aboriginal children and young people’s offending, to ensure that ‘first contact is the last’
produce insights to strengthen and improve Aboriginal justice outcomes.
Project Aims
Our methodology relied on the use of Indigenous research methodologies, such as Dadirri (deep listening) and yarning (informal two-way conversation). Key elements included:
use of semi-structured, open-ended interview questions
reflective forum with stakeholders across Victoria
thematic analysis.
These methods ensured the integrity, respect and safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout the consultation process.
Methodologies
Outputs
The key output of this project was a detailed summary report outlining evidence on the program’s strengths, including its focus on early intervention, restorative practices, and the valuable contributions of community members and Elders.
The report also identified significant implementation challenges, such as inconsistencies across regions, gaps in awareness, and limitations in program resources and support.
Additionally, it included recommendations supported by a series of actionable steps designed to translate strategic goals into practical initiatives.
The review has demonstrated that, with a commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration, the AYCP has the potential to serve as a model for a culturally safe and effective justice program.
Key areas for improvement and collaboration include:
strengthening program structure and leadership
expanding support structures and resources for panel members and families
greater flexibility in program implementation
streamlined referral and communication protocols
a standardised framework for collecting and utilising data on program outcomes
comprehensive directory of support services.
Project Outcomes
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