WHEN Val Green is asked to visit Werribee police station, she knows it’s because there’s a young person in trouble.
For five years, the Williamstown resident has been sitting in on police interviews at Werribee and Wyndham North to support minors in the absence of a parent or guardian. As a Youth Referral and Independent Person Program volunteer, Mrs Green also sits in on interviews at Altona, Footscray, Williamstown, Laverton and Sunshine.
She ensures the young person being questioned knows their rights and understands what is going on, referring them to support services, such as Legal Aid and drug and alcohol counsellors.
Mrs Green heard about the program through a relative who works with Legal Aid and decided to volunteer when she retired.
“Over the five years that I’ve supported young people at police interviews, I’ve come across many different situations, young people and indeed police officers,” she said.
“Each experience is different and I learn something every time. My motivation is to help vulnerable young people at a difficult time in their lives.
“It would be nice to know how the young person fared after the interview, but that isn’t my role. I can only hope there will be others to help him or her further down the track.”
The youngest person she had been asked to help was 13.
YRIPP state co-ordinator Marie Holmes said more volunteers were needed for Werribee and Wyndham North.
Volunteers complete 20 hours training before being placed on a callout roster.
She said volunteers provided an invaluable service to young people at “a really scary time”. Details: yripp.org.au.
