Youth Referral and Independent Person Program

YRIPP is the Youth Referral and Independent Person Program. YRIPP delivers a high quality system of adult volunteers called “Independent Persons” who attend police interviews with young people in police custody when a parent of guardian is not available. YRIPP also seeks to divert young people from future offending through early intervention at the point of police contact.

Volunteer Independent Persons attend police interviews with young people under 18 years at designated police stations around Victoria. The Independent Person is there to protect the young person from the disadvantage inherent in their age and to ensure that the young person understands what is happening to them and why.

YRIPP provides:

Volunteer Independent Persons to attend Victorian police stations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Up-to-date training and ongoing support for volunteer Independent Persons.

Information about helpful support services for young people.

Resources about the youth justice system and support services for police and parents.

Access to 24 - hour telephone legal advice for young people in police custody, provided by lawyers from Victoria Legal Aid.

Evidence based policy advice, advocacy and assistance to improve the criminal justice system for young people.

To find out more or to apply to volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Recruitment Officer on (03) 9340 3777 or visit cmy.net.au/yripp.

YRIPP is a State Government funded initiative of the Centre for Multicultural Youth and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, delivered in partnership with Community Legal Centres, Kildonan UnitingCare and Victoria Police.