Crime Prevention and Indigenous Communities: Current International Strategies and Programmes

Introduction

This paper provides a brief review of current policies, strategies and projects relating to crime prevention among Indigenous communities in Australia, Canada, the United States and New Zealand. These four countries were selected because of their similar historical experiences, as well as for pragmatic reasons of language and the availability of information. The purpose of the report is to assist in the exchange of information on effective crime prevention strategies, and the identification of good practice, as well as problem areas concerning this very important issue. It does not attempt to provide an exhaustive or complete account of all initiatives in the countries selected. In many cases, source material and fuller detailed accounts of projects and initiatives can be accessed through websites. Its primary focus is on crime prevention initiatives outside the criminal justice system. The report uses three guiding questions:

• what are some of the common challenges facing Indigenous peoples in these four countries
• what are the main criteria or elements being used to respond to the challenges and shape “good practice” in Indigenous communities
• what are the specific characteristics of country approaches (policies, strategies, programmes)

The final section outlines some examples of programmes/projects which incorporate elements of good practice in indigenous communities, and further sources and references are contained in the annex. The report includes crime prevention initiatives developed in Indigenous communities (e.g. on reserves), as well as, where possible, those addressing the needs of indigenous peoples living in urban areas, or off reserves.