Creating safer communities

Last year, the Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation (ENAC) was engaged to deliver the Target 120 program in the Derby region of Western Australia – an initiative that aims to reduce offending behaviour for at-risk young people and their families.  

Contributing to ENAC’s long­-term vision of creating safer and more connected communities, Target 120 addresses underlying issues that lead to offending. This is achieved through the organisation’s coordinated case management of all services, including across the government and non-government sectors.

CEO of ENAC, Ben Burton, said to this day the hostel operates as both a boarding school and safe house.

“Parents are able to sign the kids in and know that they will remain in town and be a part of the community,” he said.

The organisation was announced as the successful service provider to deliver the McGowan Government’s Target 120 program in May 2023. As a not-for-profit Aboriginal-community-controlled organisation, ENAC has been operating in the Derby community for more than 20 years and has leveraged their existing established relationships to deliver Target 120.

The appointment builds on the early intervention program’s success in other locations, where it is helping to steer young people at risk of offending away from the criminal justice system by connecting them with tailored services and supports.

Community Services Minister, Sabine Winton, said this has reinforced the government’s commitment to addressing youth crime and social issues in Australia’s regions.

“I am really pleased that we continue to expand this important early intervention program across Western Australia to support our young people and create safer communities.

“A huge key to the program’s success is making sure we appoint the right service providers with good local knowledge and community relationships, like ENAC, to deliver the program in each location,” she said.

Those delivering the program work across services and agencies to tackle the various factors that can increase a young person’s likelihood of offending, which include substance abuse, poor attendance at school, lack of housing, family and domestic violence, trauma and mental health issues.

Target 120 has proven extremely successful, with nearly half of all participants having had no further contact with police since their commencement in the program.

The appointment follows the McGowan Government’s further investment of $11.7 million to extend the program across all sites until June 2025, taking total investment in the program to more than $43 million.

Kimberley MLA, Divina D’Anna, said locally-led initiatives are the best way to address complex issues like youth crime.

“It’s really great to see this program continue to expand across the state.

“I look forward to seeing ENAC work closely with local young people and their families to help make a positive difference to their lives,” she said.