Youth programs coordinator Tracey Montgomery, Leading Senior Constable Sharon Sorensen, Leading Senior Constable Brett Owen with Todd Hansen and Leading Senior Constable Helen Marsham launch the new film Todd’s Story. 23383
SECONDARY school students in the City of Casey will watch a video of a young man involved in a car accident, in a bid by Victoria Police to discourage hoon driving.
The film, titled Todd’s Story, has been funded by the neighbouring Casey Council and will be shown to students there and in Greater Dandenong and Cardinia this December.
The film will make up part of an interactive workshop developed by Casey Youth Services to encourage young people to consider the consequences of high risk behaviour and develop strategies to deal with issues such as peer pressure.
Victoria Police youth resource officer Leading Senior Constable Helen Marsham said she was excited to be working on the project with Casey Youth Services and said students will be able to identify with the film and the situation the teenager was faced with.
“The incident happened after the teenager stole a car to drive to a party with his friends,” Leading Sen Const Marsham said.
“After leaving the party, he was involved in a serious collision that resulted in him being in a coma for four months and having an acquired brain injury for life.
“The story shows how a popular young man and talented footballer made a bad decision and has to live with the consequences for the rest of his life.
“He lost his friends, job prospects, and sporting ability, and the choices he made that night will have a long lasting impact on not only himself, but also his family and the wider community.”
Leading Sen Const Marsham said the program has been specifically targeted at 14 to 16 year olds as police believe the workshop would most benefit this age group.
“Local police, youth workers, schools and other service providers have identified 14 to 16 year olds to be the most likely age group to commit offences such as driving unlicensed and under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
“In addition to screening the film, we also work through a range of strategies with students on how to keep safe, make better choices about risks and how to intervene when your friends are about to take a risk.”
