Boost

ACSO successfully piloted Boost, an innovative new mentoring program that helped young people to break the cycle of domestic and family violence.

In response to the urgent need for targeted interventions addressing domestic and family violence (DFV) among adolescents, the Boost pilot in the Illawarra region received praise from its participants, as well as local community members, politicians and judges.  

Boost’s leading-edge program paired young people aged between 14-17 years who  were subject to Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) with mentors, who: 

• Provide support and companionship to young people who have received an AVO; 
• Support them through education about AVOs and how to ensure they do not break the order; 
• Reconnecting them with their culture, community, and supporting them to develop prosocial behaviours that improve their overall wellbeing; 
• Help them to find other ways to manage responses to anger and violence. 

The Boost pilot program supported 61 young people in the 2022-23 financial year. 

Collaborating to understand

The basis of the Boost program sought to foster strong, meaningful relationships between mentors and young people. This was markedly different to participants’ previous experiences: the nature of the relationships being collaborative and equal, which encouraged them to feel comfortable enough to genuinely open up and discuss their AVO and future goals. 

It’s often the case that young people being subject to AVOs only receive a brief explanation of the details – and they are in a high stress situation when these details are explained to them. The results of the Boost program showed that participants were appreciative of the opportunity to openly discuss their situation with someone they felt comfortable with.  

47% of the participants interviewed said the program had supported them to develop a genuine understanding of their AVO conditions and increased their confidence they wouldn’t breach it.  

“I’ve seen a number of kids, whose trajectory was bad prior to Boost, disappear from the court list. Often offences are committed by a small number of people, and suddenly they’re just not there anymore. That’s so valuable.”

– NSW Children’s Court Magistrate for the Illawarra David Williams 

Breaking the cycle

Boost’s innovative mentoring model, developed in collaboration with NSW Police, NSW Youth Justice and the University of Wollongong, tackles the issue of DFV behaviours and impacts head-on.

Recent research conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC, 2021) reveals a strong link between adolescent offenders involved in DFV and their likelihood of becoming adult offenders engaged in similar violence. It also highlights the concerning trend of reoffending among this group. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions with new, unique approaches – like Boost. 

The program effectively addressed the unique needs and circumstances of each young person. A common example of this approach provided by both young people (60%) and partner agencies (29%) was that Boost provided a client centred approach to mentoring and in particular, goal setting.  

“[Now] I know I don’t have to be as violent as I thought I had to be to survive in the world.”

– Boost participant 

The exceptional collaborative efforts of ACSO, Boost mentors, NSW Police, NSW Youth Justice, and the University of Wollongong made this pilot program a success, with excellent responses from participants and stakeholders alike. NSW Children’s Court Magistrate for the Illawarra David Williams described the program as “remarkable” and “transformative”. 

“I’ve been in and out of programs since I was a kid, and nothing has helped. But this program is different.”

– Boost participant 

The pilot program in the Illawarra region concluded in August of 2023, and the future of Boost is uncertain. In the coming year, ACSO will continue to speak to potential funding partners in order to secure the funding we need to support young people to break the cycle of violence.