Victims Guide
Why should I participate in a youth conference?
- Your voice will be heard
- You can ask the young person about the offence
- You have a say in how the young person can make up for what they have done
- Support from family/friends at the conference
- A sense of closure
What happens if I don’t want to participate?
- The YCS will explain to you the range of options you have and ultimately will respect your choice.
Where will the conference take place and will I be safe?
- The conference is a safe environment with a Police Youth Diversion Officer present.
- It will be held in a location convenient to you.
What do I do at a conference?
- You tell your story
- Specify what you would like the young person to do to repair the harm
- You agree a Conference Plan with the young person
What ways can I participate?
- Face to face
- Phone/video conference
- Written/recorded statement
- Observation room
What happens after the conference takes place?
- The PPS or Court are sent a report and they will decide to accept or reject the Conference Plan. If the plan is accepted it is then monitored by the YJA.
- If requested the YCS will inform you of the PPS/Court decision and the progress of the accepted plan.
- In the event that no plan is agreed the matter is returned to the PPS or Court
PSNI – Police Service of Northern Ireland
PPS – Public Prosecution Service
YCS – Youth Conference Service
YJA – Youth Justice Agency
Victims of crimes will be invited to attend the Youth Conference, in order to allow the victim the opportunity to explain to the young person who committed the crime, how that crime has affected them. The victim may be an individual person or a business or commercial victim.
The Conference also allows the victim the opportunity to influence the decision on how the young person can put right the harm he/she has caused.
The victim may also bring along a supporter to the Youth Conference, in order to provide courage and support to the victim when participating in the conference process.
Click here to download the PDF document on the Youth Conference for Business and Commercial Victims.
The Conference Process provides the victim with the opportunity to hold the young person accountable for the harm he/she has caused and to receive some form of reparation. It enables the victim to tell his or her story and to ask the young person questions. The victim can also influence the plan that is formulated to prevent further offending.
During the conference, the co-ordinator asks the victim what they would like the young person to do to repair the harm caused and to make amends. The victim is then also given the opportunity to comment on the actions suggested by the young person and his/her appropriate adult to make amends.
These actions make up the elements of the Youth Conference Plan, which is then submitted in a report to either the Public Prosecution Service or the Court, who can either accept, amend or reject the plan.
If requested, the Youth Conference Co-ordinator will inform the victim of the outcome or decision made by these bodies in relation to the offence.
Click here to download a PDF of the Guide for Victims
