A hospital visit can be a turning point.

Labor is making sure it is.

Minister Kilkenny and Minister Shing today announced the Australian-first Hospital-Based Early Intervention pilot.

The program will support young people admitted to hospital following a violent incident, who may be at greater risk of further harm or retaliation.

Instead of being sent home after treatment they will be connected with specialist youth workers and mentors.

They will get practical support and connect young people with the services they need to safely move forward.

This can include housing, alcohol and other drug services, or pathways into work and study.

The program will operate at Victoria’s two busiest trauma hospitals – The Alfred and The Royal Children’s Hospital.

In London, similar programs helped hundreds of young people step away from crime.

The pilot is part of Labor’s work to stop crime before it happens through the Violence Reduction Unit.

The VRU backs evidence-based early intervention programs that improve community safety.