Youth At Risk of abandonment

The King Cross Youth At Risk Project is at risk of being abandoned by the NSW Government who has refused to make a firm commitment to the program in the upcoming State budget.
Addressing Parliament earlier this month, the Premier stated that the Government was currently conducting an “in-depth analysis to assess future needs of youth in the area” but would not be drawn on continued funding of the program.
“Continuing assistance to youth at risk in the Kings Cross area is provided by the Department of Community Services through the Kings Cross and Central Sydney Adolescent Unit and in partnership with Mission Australia and the Salvation Army,” he said, referring to other services in the area that may fill the gap.
“Kings Cross Police also maintain a Youth Liaison Officer working closely with associated agencies on crime prevention in the area.”
Member for Sydney, Clover Moore, has been spearheading the campaign to keep funding for the program, pursuing the Government in Parliament to renew their commitment: “Kings Cross and the inner city are where so many young people live desperate and vulnerable existences, pushed into illegal activities and exploited.
“It is vital that we try to break that cycle and give them a chance to get their lives together,” she said.
“I strongly support prevention programs that break the cycle of hopelessness and help young people off the street before they get entrenched in street sex work, drug use and dealing, crime and anti-social behaviour.”
Youth workers on the project are unwilling to comment and funding body The South East Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS) are similarly tight-lipped about its future.
A spokeperson for SESIAHS stated that, “The funding for the project is ongoing and will be considered in the context of the national framework for youth homelessness. As far as we know it’s still being considered.”
Kings Cross has long been considered a ‘hot spot’ by State authorities and attracts significant numbers of young people at risk and are subject to risk factors or life factors that seriously jeapordise their health and well-being. These include substance abuse, violence, criminal activity, self-harm, mental health issues, social isolation, homelessness and sex work.