Law Talk WA is back for Series 6, this time dedicated to helping young people understand their rights and responsibilities and the laws that affect their everyday lives.
Real talk: Understanding your rights as a young person is a five-part unofficial guide for Western Australians under 25 to know their rights and what to do when facing legal troubles. This series will launch on Wednesday 12 August - International Youth Day – with one episode released each Wednesday for five weeks.
Solicitors, tenancy advocates, financial counsellors, social support workers, and First Nations voices make up the panels for this series, including experts from Legal Aid WA, Aboriginal Legal Service of WA, Consumer Credit Legal Service, Encompass Legal and Community Services WA, Great Southern Community Legal Services, Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation, and Street Law Centre.
Some of the talk centres on laws around vaping, drugs, driving, e-scooters, being questioned by the police, and staying safe online and at school. In their discussions, our experts break down complex issues and share practical advice and tips.
Dylan McCarthy, Legal Aid WA’s First Nations Community Engagement Coordinator has delivered community legal education across regional WA and Perth since 2022, and is one of the trusted voices on the panel.
“Often young people break laws not because they are deliberately careless, but because they don’t know enough about a law, where the line is, what their rights are, and the consequences of their actions. They don’t have a lot of life experience, maybe they haven’t had a trusted adult to help guide them, and they might not know any better.
“Take, for example, a young person posting on social media.
“What is posted on social media today can affect a young person’s chances of getting a job later in life. It’s common these days for employers to check a prospective employee’s social media accounts to see if their values align with the organisation. If they stumble across discriminatory or offensive material, that could have a real impact on the individual’s job prospects.”
Importantly, Real talk doesn’t just explain the law. It introduces young people to real-life scenarios that they will face (if they haven’t already) and equips them with tips, knowledge, and resources to know and protect their rights in a range of situations.
This includes big events like buying a car, getting a credit card, or moving into shared housing.
Woven throughout the series and a particular focus of the final episode, is a range of trusted support services that can help young people navigate some of the trickier situations of adulthood with confidence.
Law Talk WA is a collaborative podcast for Western Australians that provides real and relevant information about legal issues in our State, brought to you by Legal Aid WA, Community Legal WA, and Law Access. Subscribe to Law Talk WA on Podbean and tune in every Wednesday from 12 August to hear Real talk: Understanding your rights as a young person.