Key Takeaways:
- The City of Casey in Melbourne’s outer south-east has the highest number of school-based violence in Victoria, with nearly 400 crimes recorded in a year.
- The most common crimes in schools include theft, burglaries, and assaults, with many occurring outside school hours.
- Outer suburban areas tend to have higher rates of school-based crime due to limited youth services and transport options.
- Zero-tolerance policies are not an effective way to address youth crime, and can actually escalate harm and disengagement.
- Police officers proactively visit schools to enhance safety and develop solutions to steer young people away from crime.
Introduction to School-Based Violence
The City of Casey in Melbourne’s outer south-east has emerged as the worst area for school-based violence in Victoria, with nearly 400 crimes recorded at schools or other educational facilities over the year to September. According to Crime Statistics Agency data, the area recorded the most assaults on school grounds and other educational premises, with 83 occurring between October 2024 and September 2025. There were also 61 sexual offences recorded over the same period, highlighting the need for increased attention to this issue.
Causes of School-Based Crime
Swinburne University’s Joel McGregor notes that it is not surprising that data shows some of the most violent offences occurred in outer suburban areas. He points to large population growth in these areas, which often means fewer youth services per person. Additionally, there is often limited transport and services for young people to access, leading to increased proactive policing and reporting. McGregor also notes that the data does not specify what time the crimes occurred, and school times can fluctuate, making it difficult to determine the exact circumstances of each incident.
Types of School-Based Crimes
The most common offences at schools are theft, burglaries, and common assaults, with many taking place outside school hours. Victoria Police spokesperson notes that the most common sex offences recorded at Victorian schools relate to non-contact offending, such as the unauthorized sharing of explicit images or videos. McGregor agrees, stating that sexual offences at schools are often overwhelmingly non-contact and technology-focused. This challenges the sensational narratives around predatory violence at schools, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing these issues.
Addressing School-Based Crime
McGregor believes that zero-tolerance policies are not a helpful way to address youth crime. Instead, he suggests that addressing the underlying causes of the problem is essential to reducing harm. Research shows that disciplinary approaches, such as suspensions and expulsions, can actually increase disengagement and disproportionately affect disadvantaged young people, escalating harm rather than reducing it. Police officers proactively visiting schools to enhance safety and develop solutions to steer young people away from crime is a more effective approach.
Regional Variations in School-Based Crime
Other districts with high numbers of school-based crimes include the cities of Wyndham, Hume, Monash, and Melbourne. Melbourne had 614 reported offences, more than any local government area statewide, with most being theft. The area with the next highest number of assaults at school grounds was Hume, which includes Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, and Roxburgh Park. The Department of Education notes that many offences happen outside school hours and may be committed by people unrelated to school communities.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, school-based violence is a significant issue in Victoria, with the City of Casey being the worst-affected area. The causes of school-based crime are complex and multifaceted, and addressing them requires a nuanced approach that takes into account the underlying causes of the problem. Zero-tolerance policies and disciplinary approaches are not effective in reducing harm, and instead, police officers proactively visiting schools and addressing the root causes of the problem is essential. By working together, we can create safer and more supportive learning environments for all students.