The "Orientation Assistance" aims to prevent young, criminally irresponsible individuals from further slipping into criminality. The program is intended for children who repeatedly commit offenses. The initiative is carried out by the association "Save the Child", which was successful in a corresponding tender.

Fewer Offenses After Supervision by "Orientation Assistance"

Currently, only boys aged ten to 14 are being accompanied. The first few months are viewed very positively, Emmerling emphasized. Significant progress has been recorded. The councillor reported a partial strong decrease in offenses. Four children have not committed any offenses at all, explained the spokesperson for the Magistrate Department 11 (Child and Youth Welfare), Ingrid Pöschmann. Most of the supervised boys are also attending school again.

The affected individuals are assigned by a steering group, in which the executive is also represented. "Collaboration with the police is essential," emphasized the MA-11 spokesperson. The steering group can create a tailored support offer. The orientation assistance is now another opportunity to intervene here.

According to the city, the children mostly come from very severely disrupted backgrounds, sometimes also from a criminal or drug-affected environment. About half already live in supervised residential communities, as explained by the managing director of "Save the Child", Christian Reiner. The offenses they are responsible for are mostly vandalism or theft. However, robberies or burglaries are also on the list.

"Orientation Assistance": Help is Being Accepted

A total of four employees from the association are deployed. The respective buddy usually has contact with the children several times a week. Conversations are just as much on the agenda as joint leisure activities or studying for school. The help is indeed being accepted, reported Reiner: "The children want these relationships with us, they actually crave them."

Many of them come from an environment where they have been severely neglected and where they have never expressed worries or fears. Nevertheless, there are always difficult phases, emphasized Reiner. It also varies how much the children engage with the help. "There are four where I say they are hard to crack."

The project is budgeted at 500,000 euros per year. How long children need to be supported by buddies will only become apparent, as was emphasized today. However, a period of one year is likely to be estimated for this, it was said.

"Time-Out WGs" in Planning

For cases where help is not accepted and existing offers are exhausted, there will be another measure in the future. As Emmerling explained, preparations are underway for so-called time-out WGs. Children can also be encouraged to stay there. Details of the concept will be presented by the city councilor in April.

(APA/Red)

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