Why Some Young People Join Gangs: Policy Overreaches and Proven Prevention

Victoria police have introduced anti‑association orders to curb youth gang violence, sparking debate about whether restrictive laws address the root causes. While national records show a decline in youth offenders, Victoria reports a recent uptick in 10‑17‑year‑old crimes during June 2025, highlighting a 13% share of total offences. The article notes that media often links migrant youth to crime, despite research showing no ethnic risk factor. It cites the murders of two Melbourne boys, aged 15 and 12, in September 2025 as a catalyst for calls from Detective Inspector Graham Banks to tackle underlying risk factors such as family neglect, truancy, peer influence, and socioeconomic disadvantage. Critics warn that tougher bail and the Queensland “adult crime, adult time” policy disproportionately impact low‑income youth. Evidence‑based solutions, the piece argues, rely on early intervention—mentoring, school engagement, employment programs and sustained state funding.