Every community faces its challenges, and for many young people, the path can become incredibly difficult. Imagine a young person, barely a teenager, already entangled in the youth justice system, facing a future that looks bleak. These are a cohort of tamariki and rangatahi we are referred far too often: young individuals, aged 10-17, who have committed criminal offenses, carrying heavy burdens of problems like family breakdown, trauma, disengagement from education, poverty, addiction, and even suicidal ideation.
For the past seven years, Youth Encounter has stepped in as a crucial guide for these young people. We've had the privilege of working with 155 clients referred by Youth Justice, offering a lifeline through our highly therapeutic interventions. Our approach isn't just about managing behaviour; it's about deep, sustained engagement, averaging 6-9 months of intentional support, through a blend of therapy and activity-based one-on-one mentoring. We're proud that at least 50% of this cohort have been given opportunities to engage with us after this initial intervention plan through our ongoing services like camps and Moroki mentoring, showing the lasting connections we build.
Our Plan: A Journey of Transformation
Our plan is tailored to meet each young person where they are, providing a comprehensive journey of support. Take Kane, for example (name changed for privacy). Referred to us in 2023 at just 15 years old, Kane's story was an illustration of the problems our young people are confronting. He was struggling with severe behavioural issues – disrespect, vandalism, stealing, bullying, violence, and a pattern of criminal offending, including stealing vehicles. Beneath the surface, Kane was grappling with intense anger, unable to regulate his emotions, and had recently endured the profound trauma of losing his biological father in a car accident. He was stood down from school, adrift and at high risk of ending up in jail.
Youth Encounter immediately put a plan into action. Kane started with our 1-on-1 Dirt Bike Therapy, a unique approach that combines the thrill of riding with essential counselling components, providing a safe space for expression. From there, he transitioned into our Poutama Mentoring, building crucial life skills and positive relationships. A significant turning point was his participation in a Teen Camp alongside 30 other youth, giving him a sense of belonging and community. Today, Kane is still engaged in our Moroki Mentoring, where we continue to support him as he navigates his journey in employment.
The Results: Lives Transformed, Communities Safer
The success we've seen with Kane is a powerful testament to the impact of our work, mirrored in the collective outcomes of our Youth Justice cohort:
87% Reduction in Criminal Offending: While engaged with Youth Encounter, the vast majority of our young people did not offend, significantly minimising risk to the community and offering a crucial period for rehabilitation and growth.
73% Programme Completion: A high percentage successfully completed 70% of their programme attendance, met their Key Competency Outcomes Indicators (KCOI's), and achieved the goals set out in their individual plans.
78% Positive Transition: During their reporting period, nearly eight out of ten young people reported a successful transition into education, training, or employment, building foundations for a productive future.
Kane's personal transformation exemplifies these statistics. He has achieved a greater understanding of what he values and the ability to live true to those values. He's showing more direction towards being part of healthier communities and is developing essential life skills and knowledge. Most notably, Kane is now employed in the construction building trade, a remarkable step forward from where he began.
His own words capture the essence of his journey:
"What I enjoyed the most was being out on the bikes and been able to express my feelings during my breaks."
"[Youth Encounter] taught whatever I can control on the bike I can control in life."
"[Being on camp] taught me to walk away from situations I don't wanna be in."
Our Approach: A Proven Path to Lasting Change
Our therapeutic, activity-based approach sets Youth Encounter apart, yielding results that compare favorably with other significant youth justice initiatives in New Zealand. While national data on youth justice outcomes can vary in reporting metrics, a comparison highlights the unique effectiveness of our model:
Youth Encounter's Impact: We achieve an 87% reduction in criminal offending while young people are engaged in our programs. This is a powerful indicator of immediate and sustained positive behavioural change during their time with us.
Other Community-Based Programs: From our research, we have found other government community-based programs, which also focus on intensive community-based support, have also reported strong results, with 80-82% of young people not reoffending. These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of comprehensive, non-punitive approaches. (Beehive)
Military-Style Academies (Boot Camps): In contrast, the recent pilot of military-style academies has faced scrutiny. While official reoffending rates are largely unconfirmed and have been withheld, an unconfirmed figure suggests a reoffending rate of around 80% (meaning 20% did not reoffend). This aligns with historical evidence in New Zealand and international research, which often indicates that punitive, short-term interventions like boot camps are less effective at reducing reoffending and can, in some cases, even increase it. (RNZ)
The evidence strongly suggests that our therapeutic, activity-based model, combined with sustained engagement and holistic support, is not only highly effective in preventing reoffending but also in facilitating the long-term personal growth and positive community integration that truly transforms lives. It underscores that addressing underlying trauma, building life skills, and creating a sense of belonging are key to breaking cycles of offending, rather than solely relying on punitive measures.
Youth Encounter is committed to continuing this vital work, turning the tide for more young lives.
