The road to remorse
In 2006 a young driver ran a red light on the Sunshine Coast and caused a major traffic accident involving 21 victims - some have never fully recovered.
This devastating event was the start of a successful partnership between Maroochydore Youth Justice Conferencing Service, and Road Trauma Service Queensland (RTS).
RTS volunteers began attending youth justice conferences involving traffic-related offences to provide support for victims and help young offenders understand the impact of their actions. It's one thing to be told to obey the road rules and another to hear a personal account of the trauma experienced by the victims and witnesses of road accidents.
Youth justice conferences bring the young person and their family together with the victim as well as a police officer. The aim of the conference is to come to an agreement about how the young person can begin to repair the harm caused by the offence.
One 16 year old unlicensed driver charged with dangerous driving attended an attitudinal driving workshop as part of his agreement. In an essay as part of the workshop he wrote, "I understood how much hurt and trauma I had caused and know when I finally get my licence I will be a totally different driver because of the crash. I realised I could have killed someone."
RTS President Gary Church who is also a police officer, says the workshops change attitudes because, "it's a powerful message from personal experience."
Since the RTS volunteers became involved in the conferences no young traffic offenders have attended a second conference.
Contact Maroochydore Youth Justice Conferencing Service on 5470 9478.
For more information visit DV Connect or call 1800 811 811