POLICE INITIATIVES IN JUVENILE JUSTICE 89 Diverting Young Offenders from the formal Justice System Juvenile Mediation/Reparation Scheme

he title of this conference 'Preventing Juvenile Crime ' is quite interesting. Whilst we all accept the juvenile crime phenomenon is real, it is encouraging to see that the Australian Institute of Criminology is taking a positive approach to juvenile crime by advocating that it should be prevented rather than accepting it as a 'fait accompli'. Crime prevention is an integral part of policing. Juvenile Crime 'Kids to-day are getting away with murder'. 'Juveniles have no respect for anything or anyone'. 'The law now has so many protections for young crims, we may as well give up and go home'. 'Young offenders just get a slap on the wrist'. These are quotes from fellow police officers and the printed media. It is the popular view in the community that there has been a dramatic increase in juvenile crime, particularly crimes of violence. Many feel that the most effective way to handle the problem is for courts to severely punish young offenders and ensure that greater numbers are locked up and kept of