She didn’t know the young person waiting there. She only knew they didn’t have a parent or guardian available to support them during a police interview.
For 20 years, Ms Pearson has volunteered with the Youth Referral and Independent Person Program, providing support to young people in Greater Shepparton during police questioning.
Under Victorian law, police cannot formally question an under 18-year-old without a parent, guardian or independent person present.
But with most of the program’s 200 volunteers concentrated in Melbourne, YRIPP co-ordinator of volunteering Edmond Babatunde said more volunteers were needed in regional Victoria.
“The need for volunteers in regional Victoria is very important,” Mr Babatunde said.
“There’s always a missed call when we don’t have anyone, which means the young person will have to be remanded or detained or moved somewhere else to be interviewed, which involves a lot of resources.”
Ms Pearson said she encouraged others to volunteer with YRIPP, as it had given her the opportunity to make a difference.
“I get more out of it than I give,” she said.
“I give a couple of hours of my time to sit in on an interview, but I know that I’ve supported a young person during a difficult time.
“I’ve assisted the police to complete an interview. I’ve helped that young person to find services that they might need.
“I feel like I’ve done something for my community as well.”
She said it was important young people knew there was someone at the police station that was there for them.
“Every time I walk into an interview, I know that there’s a potential that this is going to make an impact for that young person and hopefully will lead to some great change in their life.”
Ms Pearson said that volunteering with the organisation was flexible and she had always felt supported.
“The YRIPP staff are only a phone call away,” she said.
“They’re an absolutely wonderful team.”
Mr Babatunde said new volunteers completed 25 hours of training through online and in-person learning.
“The impact you have on their life is lifelong,” he said.
“The volunteers provide a calming environment for the young person in what is, most of the time, a very stressful situation.
“It’s fulfilling … knowing that you’ve gone out in the middle of the night — or at 3am or 4am — to support a young person.”
YRIPP is delivered by the Centre for Multicultural Youth and is supported by the Victorian Government, in partnership with the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, Community Legal Centres and Victoria Police.
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