Mar Riek was just 13 when he decided he wanted to escape poverty. He found joy in basketball and dreamed of playing professionally. However, his mother, raising six children alone, could not afford the fees to join a local team in Pakenham, a suburb in Melbourne's outer southeast. In search of money to pursue his passion, Riek turned to the streets and joined a gang with his brothers and relatives.

"The aim was to gain a sort of status, power, and respect. But also protection — a form of brotherhood and belonging," Riek explained. Despite attempts to distance himself from the gang, he found it difficult as the members were his extended family. He felt the need to carry a knife for protection, stating, "With leaving [a gang], you can never really leave. Unfortunately, in this life, the enemies may not see you as a changed man."

In Melbourne's west, youth violence has escalated, with five young people dying from knife-related incidents in the past two and a half years. Residents express concern that the situation is spiraling out of control. Riek noted that his gang often clashed with other South Sudanese-Australians, leading to conflicts that escalated through social media and music, particularly drill rap, which often incites violence.

Melbourne is currently experiencing a youth crime surge, which has intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data indicates that crimes committed by minors have reached a 15-year high in Victoria. Although the number of young offenders has remained stable, they account for 12.8% of all offenders processed. Alarmingly, they are responsible for 60% of robberies and nearly half of all aggravated burglaries.

Experts in youth justice attribute this rise in crime to various factors. Many young people are drawn to the flashy lifestyles of adult gang members, seeking quick financial gain. Others are motivated by the notoriety that comes from committing crimes and sharing their exploits on social media. Government data reveals that over half of the youth in the justice system have a history of drug and alcohol abuse, often committing crimes to support their addictions.

Older offenders are reportedly exploiting younger individuals, paying them to commit crimes under the assumption that they will face lighter penalties if caught. This exploitation has become commercialized, with adult criminals advertising jobs online. Riek described this dynamic, saying, "They use these kids as puppets to do their dirty work, knowing that these kids will get released and back out on the street to do more work."

Unlike traditional organized crime groups, youth gangs are not defined by colors or strict codes. They are often formed along ethnic lines or geographic areas, making them difficult for law enforcement to track. Many younger siblings are drawn into gang culture through family connections, often without actively choosing that lifestyle.

Peta Fualau, head of programs at the Centre for Multicultural Youth, noted that conflicts can arise unexpectedly. "It can start with something as simple as being seen somewhere," she said. Social media also plays a role, with amateur drill tracks escalating tensions between rival gangs.

The prevalence of knives among young people is contributing to the violence. Selu Ah Hong, a team leader with the Les Twentyman Foundation, estimates that about 60% of the youth he works with carry knives, primarily for self-defense. One young man, Bobby, shared his experience of carrying a knife after being held at knifepoint at 16. He stated, "It was just giving me a chance to defend myself and feel secure."

Bobby participated in a preventative knife crime program, which helped him connect with peers and learn conflict resolution skills. He believes the rise in youth crime is less about gang culture and more about young people searching for meaning in their lives. "It's a lot of unemployed youths, they're also disadvantaged," he said.

Many youth justice professionals agree that a sense of belonging drives young people toward gangs. Data shows that African Australians represent a significant portion of youths in custody, with their numbers rising from 20% in 2019 to about 50% in 2023. Children from Pasifika backgrounds also make up a notable percentage of those in youth custody.

Riek noted that many of his peers come from single-parent households where financial struggles are common. "Often [mothers are] working maybe two or three jobs just to pay the bills," he said. A South Sudanese-Australian mother expressed the challenges of balancing caregiving and providing for her family, stating, "Sometimes, we have six or seven kids. Who will look after them?"

Berhan Ahmed, CEO of Africause, emphasized the need for employment opportunities for parents to help support their children emotionally. He stated, "The root causes of [youth crime] stand clear. [Their parents] need an employment opportunity. These people are not asking for the charity of any society. They are asking for opportunity, like everyone, to thrive."