What is Adam Deacon's approach to preventing youth crime?

Adam Deacon's approach focuses on understanding the vulnerabilities and backgrounds of young people to prevent offending behaviors.

How did COVID-19 lockdowns affect youth offending?

The prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne exacerbated existing vulnerabilities in young people, contributing to increased offending.

What funding has been allocated to youth early-intervention programs?

The Victorian government has allocated $33 million for youth early-intervention and community safety programs, including $26.7 million for Adam Deacon's service.

Home / Crime and Justice / Youth Crime: Understanding the Child Behind the Behavior

Youth Crime: Understanding the Child Behind the Behavior

25 Jan

•

Summary

Government funding supports early intervention for at-risk youth.
Lockdowns exacerbated vulnerabilities in young offenders.
Understanding child behavior is key to preventing crime.

Youth Crime: Understanding the Child Behind the Behavior

An early-intervention program led by child and youth forensic psychiatrist Adam Deacon is set to receive $27m in government funding to prevent youth offending. Deacon's community forensic youth mental health service focuses on understanding the child behind the behavior, addressing vulnerabilities exacerbated by Melbourne's lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns.

This initiative comes amid a reported rise in Victoria's youth crime rate. Police data from September 2025 indicated that a small group of young offenders were responsible for thousands of arrests. Deacon highlights that these young people often have backgrounds of disadvantage, trauma, abuse, neglect, or neurodevelopmental disorders like autism or ADHD.

Lockdowns significantly impacted these children, with many experiencing educational disruption due to lack of stable housing or internet access. Some have been recruited into organized crime for car theft or arson. Deacon notes a shift in how organized crime recruits youth, facilitated by mobile phones and the online exposure to harmful content.