Victim Impact Panel
VIP COVID UPDATE
After cancellations in spring and summer of 2020, the VIP resumed on August 31st using an online-only format.
The online meetings are being presented with the GoToMeeting platform, which is very similar to Zoom. Registered individuals will be sent a link to access the meeting via email during the week before the meeting. After attending the online presentation, attendees are required to complete a brief online survey to demonstrate that they attended the entire meeting. Certificates of attendance are sent to all attendees who complete and submit surveys.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Chris D'Onofrio
Victim Impact Panel Coordinator
cdonofri@co.whatcom.wa.us
360-778-6049
About the VIP
VIP speakers deliver panels every 4-5 weeks (see schedule below). Panels consist of 2 or 3 speakers who, in a non-accusatory manner, describe the emotional, social, financial, and/or other effects a DUI has caused in their lives.
The Whatcom County Health Department is always looking for new panelists. If you have been impacted by a DUI and are interested in speaking on the panel, please contact the panel coordinator at 360-778-6049.
2020 Panel Schedule:
October 5: Accepting registrations for online-only panel; registration closes on 10/1/20.
November 9:
Accepting registrations for online-only panel; registration closes on 11/5/20.
December 14:
Accepting registrations for online-only panel; registration closes on 12/10/20.
Language interpretation services are available at no cost, but you must call 360-778-6049 at least one week before the panel to make arrangements for an interpreter.
To receive a certificate of attendance, attendees must pay and register before attending. Online registration is available until one week before the panel.
Guests and the general public are welcome to attend free of charge, although the material may be unsuitable for children.
DUI Victim Impact Panel Forms
Questions or Comments for the Panel Coordinator?
Chris D'Onofrio
360-778-6049
Visitors Tell How Panels Affect Them
The following comments are from individuals attending DUI Victim Impact Panels across Washington State.
Expectations:
"Not what I expected. Wow!"
Courage:
"Both speakers had incredible courage, and it’s important for them to share their stories."
We don't have a death hanging over us:
"The impact of the panel is awesome. No one can feel the same as they felt when they walked in, when they walk out. We are the lucky ones, in that we don't have a death hanging over us."
An immense flow of emotion:
"I cannot critique such as immense flow of emotion that I can't even fathom. By the blood of my soul, I will not drink and drive, and I will fight with tooth and nail those who dare."
I used to think:
"As a 1st time offender of DWI, I used to think that the sentencing was too strict; now, I believe it is not strict enough."
A decision to take control:
"Thank you for caring. And, most of all, thank you for helping me make a decision in my life to take control of my own destiny."
Totally overwhelmed:
"I am so totally overwhelmed by this that I cannot adequately put my feelings down on paper. Reality is really difficult to deal with. When I think of what I could have caused, I become very grateful and yet I know I didn't take the time to think things out. I really sincerely believe you have removed 1 more drinking driver from the roads."
A room so quiet:
"I have not sat in a room with this amount of people and had a room so quiet."
I don't want to tell a story like I've heard tonight:
"I sincerely hope that I do not have to ever sit up front like you people and tell a story like I've heard tonight."
Glad I was ordered by the Court to come:
"I was very deeply moved by this panel. I am truly glad I was ordered by the court to come here."
Scares the hell out of me:
"I can honestly say that it scares the hell out of me to think I could inflict this pain on anyone. It will never happen again."