AFRICAN leaders in the west have called for more early intervention services and better legal education after police revealed Somali and Sudanese-born Victorians are five times more likely to commit offences than the broader population.
But they also questioned the decision to release the statistics, describing the move as being “a double-edged sword”.
Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said police had serious concerns about street crime, assaults and robberies involving Africans; all had increased in the past year.
“It’s youth of African descent … we’re particularly concerned about the level of violence on these occasions and the age of the individuals involved – a vast majority are under 21.” Assistant Commissioner Fontana said there had been a noticeable rise in incidents in Sunshine, Melton and Footscray.
According to a police report, the rate of offending in the Sudanese community is 7109.1 per 100,000, while for Somalis it is 6141.8 per 100,000. The figure for the wider community is 1301 per 100,000.
The overall proportion of crimes committed by Sudanese and Somali residents statewide is 0.92 and 0.35per cent respectively.
Western suburbs African youth advocate John James warned negative media portrayals of African youth were destructive. “To create the mentality that all Sudanese and Somali youth are like that is a dangerous, damaging perception. Everybody is different, you can’t categorise anybody because of their race.”
Sudanese-born Melton resident Ambrose Mareng
agreed, pointing to programs like the Melton New and Emerging Communities Network, which works with service providers and advocates to meet the needs of these groups.
Secretary Nib De Santis said the crime data must be seen in relative terms. “Work needs to be continued to assist African youth, in particular, especially those who are disaffected or disengaged and who are struggling to fit into mainstream society.”
Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre lawyer Laura Heffes called for a focus on crime prevention through early intervention and legal education.
Many migrants arrived as refugees from war-torn countries and had to make a challenging transition. “Targeted community legal education will ensure newly arrived communities are informed about their rights and responsibilities and are empowered with the knowledge they need to engage in Australian society.”
Assistant Commissioner Fontana said police were working with community groups and government agencies on programs to break the cycle of offending.
