What Is In It For The Victim
One of the aims of restorative justice is to allow the victims of crime to participate more fully in the criminal justice system than was previously the case. Victims now have the right in law to take part in Youth Conferences and share how they have been affected. There is much more victim satisfaction with this devolved decision making process and victims can feel safer and are less likely to feel fearful or angry as they have a say in the outcome.
The victim can find answers to why me? Will it happen again? The victim has a chance to tell the young person the impact the crime has had on them and has the opportunity to identify how the child can make amends for what they have done.
For example in one of our recent cases a child who had stolen from a department store agreed as part of the action plan to make an apology at a staff meeting. Also the child has agreed to stay away from the store for a period of 6 months. On this occasion the store manager felt that these options would be more beneficial than trying to pursue compensation through the Courts.
Research has also shown that there is a greater chance of restitution to a victim when it is part of an agreed action plan rather than through the courts.
- What is a Conference?
- What is the necessary criteria for a referral?
- What is in it for the victim?
- What is new about Youth Conferencing?
- Is Youth Conferencing a soft option?
- Why Restorative Justice instead of Retributive Justice?
- Does restorative justice reduce crime?
- How is the Relationship with Stakeholders?
- What are the Satisfaction Rates?
