A volunteer program that supports young people during police interviews is calling for more community members to step forward, particularly across regional Victoria, where a shortage of volunteers is creating challenges for both young people and law enforcement. The Youth Referral and Independent Person Program (YRIPP) provides trained volunteers who attend police stations when a person under the age of 18 does not have a parent or guardian available during questioning.
One of the program's long-serving volunteers, Mary Pearson from Shepparton, has spent the past 20 years responding to late-night calls to assist young people during difficult moments in their lives. She recalled receiving calls late at night and arriving at police stations within minutes to ensure vulnerable young people had someone present to support them throughout the interview process.
Under Victorian law, police cannot formally interview a person under 18 without a parent, guardian or an independent person present. When none of these are available, trained YRIPP volunteers step in to observe interviews, help ensure young people understand the process and provide reassurance during what is often a stressful experience.
Program coordinator Edmond Babatunde said there is an urgent need for additional volunteers outside metropolitan Melbourne. While the program has around 200 volunteers, most are based in the capital, leaving regional communities with limited coverage. When no volunteer is available, young people may need to remain in custody longer or be transported elsewhere for interviews, increasing delays and placing additional demands on police resources.
Volunteers say the role is both rewarding and meaningful. Although they may only spend a few hours with a young person, they believe their presence can have a lasting impact by ensuring the young person feels supported and by helping connect them with appropriate community services after the interview. Many volunteers describe the opportunity as a way to give back to their local communities while supporting vulnerable young people during challenging circumstances.
New volunteers receive approximately 25 hours of training through a combination of online learning and face-to-face sessions before joining the program. The training prepares participants to understand legal procedures, communicate effectively with young people and work alongside police officers in a professional environment.
YRIPP is delivered by the Centre for Multicultural Youth with support from the Victorian Government, in partnership with Victoria Police, the Youth Affairs Council Victoria and Community Legal Centres. The program aims to ensure that every young person has access to independent support during police interviews, regardless of where they live.
Community organisations say increasing volunteer numbers in regional areas such as Shepparton will strengthen the justice system by protecting the rights of young people while also helping police conduct interviews more efficiently. Supporters believe that a single volunteer's presence during a difficult moment can influence a young person's future in a positive way.
