The Youth Referral and Independent Persons Program (yripp.org.au) is a Victorian State Government initiative that trains adult volunteers to support young people under eighteen-years who are victims of crime. Volunteers can attend police interviews when parents are unable, can help young people to understand their rights, can offer referral services and can ensure that young victims of crime understand police procedures.
The Youth Referral and Independent Persons Program runs out of one hundred and twenty nine Victorian police stations and has four hundred and nineteen volunteers who attend some three thousand interviews each year. Volunteers can help children feel safe in stressful situations, such as a police interview.
For victims of crime support and advice call 1800 000 055 or go to www.victimsofcrime.com.au or email: support@victimsofcrime.com.au or email: support@victimsofcrime.com.au