Vermont Victim Impact Panel Program (VVIPP)
The most important thing I learned from the program is...
"Everybody pays for one's mistake."
"It COULD happen to me."
"We make the choice, or not; Its within our power to prevent further 'crashes.'"
"As an adult mother and wife I take responsibility for my choices and actions. I will be a good example for my children and pass on the tools I have learned from this experience."
"...I didn't know any of the speakers but I could relate to absolutely everybody's story." |
The VIP panels are an opportunity for victim(s)/survivors of DUI and reckless driving incidents to share their stories and personal experiences. Impact panelists find participating helpful in the healing process and can influence those listening to make better choices.
Program Goals:
- To give Victim(s)/survivors the opportunity to share their story and be heard.
- To educate DUI offenders, justice professionals, students, and community members about the physical, emotional and financial consequences of impaired or reckless driving.
To learn more about VIP visit:
http://www.doc.state.vt.us/victim-services/dui
http://www.vtsafety.org/vip.htm
Click here to download a VVIPP brochure
VIP and BCJC
Dan Ridgway is now the VIP Coordinator, he will work with a BCJC staff to deliver this panel in Brattleboro 3 to 4 times a year.
"I am committed to keeping our roads safe by assuring drivers are not doing anything that impairs their ability to drive safely. A person who drives while legally intoxicated creates a hazard for all of us using the highways. I believe the Victim Impact Panel does change participants' views and beliefs about drinking and driving. That is why I am part of running these panels."
Larry Hames, Executive Director, BCJC
From feedback I've received the DUI VIP program really reaches DUI offenders in ways that other programs don't. Participants start to get it that drinking and driving wrecks too many lives in so many ways- and not just their own. The costs and impacts, personally and societally, are vast and long-lasting.
VIP makes a distinction between drinking versus drinking and driving. Individuals are making a choice when they drink and get behind the wheel of a car and with that choice comes responsibility. To that end, participants discuss practical ideas and make realistic plans for how not to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking; plans which are probed and challenged not just by facilitators but also by fellow DUI offenders.
Of course, by far the most powerful aspect of the DUI VIP program are the victim speakers. I've heard time and again from participants that it is the victims' stories and their courage to speak and share of themselves which has the most impact on VIP participants. All of the participants are a brother, sister, mother, father, child, or parent and can relate to the pain of that kind of loss. Participants learn that choices are powerful.
Jackie Trerpanier, Americorps VISTA , Reparative Panelist
Survivors of DUI crashes in Vermont tell the stories of their lives
as they have been, and continue to be, affected by these tragedies.
VVIPP in the News
http://www.vermont.gov/portal/government/article.php?news=727
http://www.ccvs.state.vt.us/joomla/index.php
