Restorative Justice and Victims
What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative Justice is a way of looking at the harm caused by crime. It offers those who have suffered harm the opportunity to have their harm or loss recognised. It encourages those who have caused harm to recognise the impact of what they have done, and begin to take
responsibility for their actions.
How can this help victims of crime?
Many victims of youth crime have found that by becoming involved in the justice process this helps them deal with the range of emotions they can experience following the crime.
How can victims of crime be involved?
Our Victim Liaison Officers (VLO) will make contact with victims of crime and wherever possible gather their views about how they have been affected. They will also provide victims with more information regarding the level of involvement with the young person who
has offended against them they might wish to have.
Some examples of Restorative Justice
Receiving an apology from the young person. This could be in the form of a letter, a verbal apology or a recorded apology (for example, taped or by video)
Meeting the young person face-to-face. This meeting would be in a supervised, safe, controlled, neutral environment. The victim can tell the offender the effects of the crime and what the young person needs to do to repair the harm caused.
Being able to record the effects of the crime which can be relayed to the young person via the VLO.
Nominating community projects that young people can be involved in such as local regeneration projects or charities, in order for the young person to put something back into the community.
Agreeing involvement in a project which is personal to the victim or carrying out some practical form of reparation for them.
What does the Youth Offending Team (YOT) aim to
The YOT encourages young people who commit offences to take responsibility for the harm and loss they have caused their victim, by confronting them with the consequences of their action.
By explaining to young people how the victim feels about what they did and how it has affected them, the YOT could make the young people acknowledge the harm they have caused and begin to understand the consequences of their actions.
Young offenders are expected to attempt to make amends for the harm that they have caused.
It's your choice!
Taking part in a restorative process is completely voluntary and the YOT will respect your wishes at all times.
Who benefits from Restorative Justice?
Victims can ask their questions
Victims can tell their story
Victims can hold those responsible accountable
Victims can participate in the settlement
Victims needs are no longer ignored