The inclusion of fire department and metal health personnel at the meeting ensure that access to appropriate educational and treatment programs is readily available. Conferences offer significant benefits for all participants. Youth recognize the true impact their actions have had on others and are given the opportunity to apologize, make amends to the extent possible and perhaps be forgiven. The presence of supporters who can reaffirm their worth as members of the community while condemning their behaviour is a key element of the process. Within the supportive environment of the conference, youth, families and their supporters can openly discuss the underlying issues that may have contributed to the wrong-doing and assume an active role in finding solutions.
Victims come to the conference with their family and friends for support.
Conferences allow victims to tell the youth how they feel and how the fire has affected them. Allowing victims to ask questions about the incident and have a say in how the harm should be repaired is empowering and allows the process of healing to begin. The presence of fire and police personnel at the conference is an additional source of comfort and safety for victims. Mental health professionals who have observed conferences add that the conference setting creates an important opportunity for fire, police and rescue personnel to speak of the incident and the associated emotional stressors that are inherent in their respective professions. Ignored, these accumulated stressors can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.