By Dr. Charlene Berquist, Director, and Heather Blades, Associate Director
For nearly 10 years the Center for Dispute Resolution (CDR) has offered an innovative Victim Impact Panel (VIP) program for youthful offenders referred by the Greene County Juvenile Office. This program, which helps young people understand and internalize the impact of crime, is an outstanding example of the applied research work of the CDR. The VIP program is continually modified to maximize its impact on youth, and the incorporation of student and community volunteers offers an invaluable learning and community service experience.
About the Program
The Victim Impact Panel (VIP) program is offered over the course of two evenings every six weeks. The program utilizes storytelling, dialogue, and reflection to help youth understand and internalize the impact that crime has on individual victims, their family and friends, and their community.
Unlike a traditional victim-impact panel program, where offenders sit passively in a large group during a presentation by victims, in this program small groups of youth are encouraged to have a personal dialogue with victim-presenters. The presenters are prepared in advance to “tell their stories” in an impactful way, and youth are assisted in developing questions to ask of the presenters. As a result a meaningful and engaging dialogue takes place, facilitated by program volunteers. Where in other contexts youth may be defensive or self-focused, the structure of this program moves youth away from this mindset, allowing them to empathize with victims and see the far-reaching impact that even “simple” crimes can have.
Innovative Updates
Recent trends in referrals to the VIP program indicated a need for youth to better understand the impact of shoplifting on the victims of this crime. In response the CDR has worked closely with Communication graduate student Ellen Pate to pilot new program components aimed at supporting youth in exploring the harms caused by shoplifting to individuals, businesses, and communities. This work is part of Ms. Pate’s research for her master’s degree in Communication, and it corresponds as well to her program of study as a student in the Graduate Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution.
Program Outcomes
Since its launch in 2009 the VIP program has received over 650 referrals from the Greene County Juvenile Office, and over 125 student and community volunteers have contributed nearly 2000 hours to the program.
Over 80% of youth who take part in the VIP program are impacted by the experience, based upon analysis of essays they complete after completing the program and recidivism data. As the kids themselves explain:
- “I am very glad I participated …. I am not only just sorry for what I did, but actually have an understanding now.”
- ”I discovered any crime no matter how small effects someone somewhere in some way. It really does, and while I have been typing this essay I have been thinking really hard about what I have done.”
- “This program has not only helped me to realize and learn the harmful emotional effects my actions cause, but also allowed me to get a sit-down, actual look on the other side of situations.”
Volunteers Needed
The VIP program is made possible thanks to the volunteer service of University students and community members. Volunteers are currently needed to serve as facilitators and “victim-presenters.” If you have worked in loss prevention, or have been the victim of a crime such as property damage, vandalism, car damage, burglary, or theft, you can tell your story to kids in the VIP program and help deter them from community future crimes. Please email CDR@MissouriState.edu for more information on volunteering with this program.
For More Information
The CDR is pleased to help fulfill the University’s public affairs mission by supporting programs like VIP, which meet community needs will offering invaluable experiential learning opportunities for student volunteers. For more information on the program or to learn more about volunteering, please contact the CDR at 417-836-8831 or CDR@MissouriState.edu.