Young offenders donate money to Victim Support as 'pay back'
Published: 30 March 2011
- Date:
- 30 March 2011
Young offenders in Dorset have raised £450 for Victim Support as ‘pay back’ for the crimes they committed.
Over the last year, the Dorset Youth Offending Team (YOT) has supervised 2,200 hours of community based work, including conservation work with Dorset Wildlife Trust, a bicycle recycling project and work in care homes.
As part of their sentences, the young offenders had to participate in activities that benefited their victims or the community. They have donated money they earned from these activities, as recognition of the effect of their crimes on victims.
Jenny Willoughby, Victim Support’s Victim Care Unit Manager in Dorset, said: “The money will make a big difference to the lives of local victims and witnesses, and we’re really grateful to receive it. It’s important for offenders to face up to the damage they’ve caused and make amends, and it’s great to see this happening.”
The Dorset Youth Offending Team helps prevent young people from becoming involved in criminal activity and works to reduce re-offending by young people who have already been in trouble with the law. The team, based in Dorchester, is made up of staff from different agencies including Dorset County Council, Dorset Police, NHS Dorset, Connexions and the Probation Service.
Clive Hawkins, Manager of the Dorset Youth Offending Team, said: “It is great to see that young people who have offended are working hard to pay-back for the harm that they have caused. This donation to Victim Support goes someway to demonstrating the work that young people have undertaken to try and move on.”