Walla Walla Valley DUI Victim Impact Panel
"Helping keep drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe"
The DUI Victim Impact Panel provides audiences with unique information designed to decrease incidents of impaired driving.
When are victim impact panels held?The second Tuesday of odd-numbered months. Doors open for registration at 6:30 p.m. and the panels run from 7-8:30 p.m.
Where do the panels take place?Walla Walla Police Department, 54 E. Moore St., Walla Walla Cost$45 - online registration |
Interested in learning more about Victim Impact Panels?
- Victims describe their lives before and after DUI collisions.
- Survivors describe the effects of losing loved ones to DUIs.
- Offenders describe life changes resulting from sometimes fatal DUI collisions.
- Law enforcement and fire department personnel share their experience of being a first responder at DUI collisions.
Impaired driving offenders continue to kill over 13,000 victims each year.
Defendants convicted of such offenses as DUI, Reckless Endangerment, Hit and Run, Minor in Possession, Negligent Driving, Physical Control and Driving While LIcenses Suspended/Revoked. Interested citizens, judges, attorneys, treatment providers and other referral sources may also attend as guests (with prior approval).
Share your own experience on a Victim Impact Panel or tell someone you know about the opportunity. A life could be changed or even saved by your words.
The first DUI Victim Impact Panel was held in Washington state in 1986. It was believed that if offenders could hear victims tell their stories, see the pictures of people who had been hurt or killed in drunk driving collisions and the personal consequences, change would occur. As this program has been proven effective, the majority of judges in Washington now order individuals with alcohol-related driving offences to attend the victim panel as part of their sentencing.
Victim Impact Panels are held on odd-numbered months in the evening on the second Tuesday. Speakers are reminded each month of the date and time. How often you speak is up to you.
No. Most speakers prefer to stay to the end and process the panel. Some, because of other obligations, leave as soon as they have spoken.
A general rule is that on each panel there will be two to four speakers, so most panel speakers will speak for approximately 20 minutes.
Everyone has their own unique way of sharing and that should not be changed. It is not necessary to be eloquent or a professional speaker; you already have the words. With a limited amount of time, it is important to focus on the details that will impact the offender. But the most importantly, remember to speak from the heart. If you have any pictures you would feel comfortable sharing, they can be scanned and projected on the screen.
Of course you're angry! Who wouldn't be? But, like all human beings, the offenders who attend will turn off emotionally and not listen if they feel preached at, accused or condemned. Anger is part of the grief process and there is nothing wrong with stating it as long as it is not focused at "you drunk drivers." It is important to talk about how you feel and anger is part of that, but try to remember to use "I" statement and avoid "you" statements. This does not mean that you should soft-pedal anything, only that you won't get your message across if you are blaming and accusatory. Remember that the reason we are here is to help offenders personalize the tragic consequences of drinking and driving.
Speakers are given a small stipend for the time they volunteer.
Many speakers would answer yes! Some victims and offenders want to put it behind them and try to forget. Others find the way to healing through verbalizing their feelings and coming to the realization that a life could actually be changed or even saved by their words. Only you can decide if this is right for you. It will be painful — there is no way to avoid that. But just living after a significant loss or trauma is painful. Grief, anger, and guilt are dealt with in different ways by each of us, so each case is unique.
Yes, but with discretion. Victims always know when an offender is going to speak and they will have the choice. Panels are always coordinated with the speakers as well as the referrals in mind.
A Spanish interpreter will be provided on an “as needed” basis. Those requiring an interpreter must call in advance — 509-525-3342 — or email info@wwacw.com.