Legal Education for Young People

Many young people face distinct challenges and experience considerable barriers when it comes to obtaining legal information and assistance. Young people are often particularly vulnerable when it comes to dealing with police and the justice system because of a limited understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
 

OUR APPROACH

With a vision of increasing equality of access to justice to young people, the Community Legal Education unit provides innovative education programs to assist young people to improve their capacity to critically assess the legal and social impact of the law on themselves and those around them.

Our approach to young people in community legal education is based on:

• community-based service delivery models;
• non-academic, practical and culturally appropriate methodologies; and
• ongoing support for relevant organisations and community members, including parents, educators and people working with young people in various sectors.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

Trusted Moments

The Commission has recently launched Trusted Moments, a short film for teenagers about risky behaviour.

Trusted Moments was developed by the Legal Services Commission to engage young people in education about the importance of consent and respect in relationships as a strategy for the prevention of sexual assault. As well as highlighting the legal implications of certain behaviours, the resource draws attention to the potential impact of these behaviours on personal relationships and whole communities.

Set at a 17^th birthday party, the film draws attention to types of attitudes and behaviour patterns that can lead to sexual assault. It also highlights the inherent legal risks associated with using mobile phones for producing and sharing sexually explicit images of young people.

The film is supported by the Trusted Moments Study Guide. The Guide contains a number of resources including fact sheets that introduce young people to basic legal concepts to facilitate their participation in the learning activities suggested in the Guide.

To view the film’s resources online please visit www.trustedmoments.com.au

As part of the Trusted Moments early intervention program, organisations using the resource are able to book legal education workshops that explore in more detail the legal issues raised by the film. Facilitated by experienced legal education practitioners, the workshops provide a unique opportunity for schools, youth services and community organisations to engage young people and staff in early intervention education about laws dealing with sexual assault and other criminal offences.

To view Trusted Moments or to discuss how your organisation or school may use this resource please contact Ella Pak Poy, Legal Education Officer, on (08) 8463 3647 or email ella.pakpoy@sa.gov.au

To download the Trusted Moments poster please click here  - or order additional copies online. Or scan this QR code to view the trailer on your smartphone.

 

PAST PROGRAMS

Expect Respect!

Expect Respect! used drama-based education to explore the legal and social implications of sexual assault and the use of mobile phones to take and share sexually explicit images of young people. From May 2010 until March 2012, more than 4000 young people in Adelaide and regional centres across South Australia participated in this interactive legal education program. Key to the success of the project was the involvement of young people and key agencies committed to sexual assault prevention and social change.

Please see our Expect Respect! page for more information.

Legal Education Awareness Project (LEAP)

LEAP was a crime prevention initiative that assisted young people from new migrant communities to understand their legal rights and obligations and the role of the police. The project used a community development approach to engage with young people and their families, and was the recipient of a 2009 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award.

Please see our Legal Education Awareness Project page for further information on this project, including resources on culturally appropriate service delivery, justice issues for young new migrants, and supporting young people in police interviews.

Burn

Burn is a short film with accompanying education materials produced by Legal Aid NSW to highlight the implications of group offending. CLE staff used the Burn film and resources in legal education workshops in special education centres and secure care facilities.

Juvenile Justice Training

The Commission supported the youth sector by conducting juvenile justice training seminars to assist youth workers to better understand the legal issues facing young people and the likely consequences of youth offending.

What’s the Story

What’s the Story is a guide to common legal questions by young people and was updated by the Commission for the Office for Youth.
 

To view Trusted Moments, to book a legal education workshop, or to discuss your legal education training requirements, please contact Ella Pak Poy, Legal Education Officer, on (08) 8463 3647 or email ella.pakpoy@sa.gov.au

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