Demons at drivetime: Rally for justice

collections_australianscreen

Reproduced courtesy of australianscreen online

Resource title: Demons at drivetime: Rally for justice

Digital resource identifier: R7371

Resource description
This clip shows a rally held in 1991 to urge the Western Australian government to take a tougher stance on juvenile crime after a number of deaths involving juveniles driving stolen cars. It shows aspects of the rally and includes a number of interviews.

Stage of schooling: Upper Primary

CCE focus: Government and Law; Citizenship in a Democracy

Context

In August 1991, about 30,000 people attended a rally for justice held outside the Western Australian state parliament to urge the government to introduce tougher penalties for juvenile offenders. The rally followed a number of cases in which juveniles driving stolen cars were involved in accidents that caused deaths. The mainstream media and, in particular, talkback host Howard Sattler, led a sustained campaign against juvenile crime.

Opportunities for Civics and Citizenship learning

‘Demons at drivetime: Rally for justice’ provides opportunities for students to:

  • consider the suitability of punishments for particular crimes

  • discuss juvenile crime and punishment and how this might differ from adult crime and punishment

  • explore how changing community values can apply pressure on governments to review laws

  • research processes for governments to change policy in response to community views

  • explore the influence of the media on community views.

Ideas for the classroom

  • Provide students with some background to the clip they will be viewing. Explain that it was a rally organised by radio host Howard Sattler asking the government to take a tougher stance on juvenile crime.

  • Show the clip and ask students to make comments under the following headings: positive outcomes, negative outcomes and interesting outcomes.

  • Write these responses on the board and discuss them with the students. The discussion should focus on the issue of juvenile crime and acceptable punishments and the role of the media when highlighting civic and criminal issues.

  • Break the class into two groups. Ask one group to prepare a paragraph supporting the topic: ‘The punishment should fit the crime.’ Ask the second group to prepare a paragraph disagreeing with the statement. Remind the students that they should develop a number of supporting ideas and a concluding sentence summing up their position.

  • Complete the activity by asking students to share their ideas in a ‘pair and share’ activity.

  • Ask students to provide feedback to the whole class.