Restorative Justice works and we have many testimonies from people who have been through the process and found it to be very positive. Case studies and quotes from both victims and offenders can be seen below.
No. Restorative Justice can be used for any crime where there is an identifiable victim and offender, as long as both parties agree to take part. Restorative Justice is available for all offences, and at any point after the offender has been sentenced.
If a case goes to court then sentencing is always up to the Judge. Restorative Justice is not an alternative to sentencing, it’s something that is used as well as it, usually after a sentence has been given, so has no impact on sentencing decisions. The Judge is the only person who can decide on the appropriate sentence for the crime that the offender has committed.
Restorative Justice can be done both directly and indirectly. Direct Restorative Justice involves a face-to-face conference. If a victim or offender would prefer not to, or are unable to meet face-to-face, Indirect Restorative Justice can be facilitated through phone calls, video calls, letter writing, emails, or passing on messages through a third party.
Restorative Justice can sometimes involve forgiveness, but it doesn’t have to and it’s not expected to.
For some victims and survivors who engage in Restorative Justice, it is important to them that the offender takes full responsibility and is remorseful. However, there are some victims who engage in Restorative Justice because they just want an opportunity to tell the offender how the crime impacted them, and for the offender to think about the consequences of their actions.
Both victims and offenders can self refer if they are interested in pursuing Restorative Justice. Victim referrals can also come from Victim Support or Victim Liaison Officers, support agencies and GPs. Offender referrals can come from police, probation, or prison officers.
It’s free to take part in Restorative Justice with us.
Absolutely. All Restorative Justice conferences are mediated by trained professionals, known as Restorative Justice Facilitators. Other organisations or individuals involved to best assess risk may also be present throughout the process.
Restorative Justice helps offenders to see the impact of their actions.
It allows offenders the opportunity to apologise and explain.
It gives them the opportunity to make amends where possible.
It helps the offender put the crime behind them.
It reduces reoffending rates by 14%.
Restorative Justice can reduce victim’s symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD after a crime takes place.
It empowers victims and gives them a chance to have their voice heard, taking back control.
It allows them the opportunity to ask any questions they might have about the crime, e.g ‘why me?’, ‘did you target me specifically?’.
It helps the victim put the crime behind them.
Restorative Justice is a completely voluntary process for both victim and offender. You can change your mind at any time throughout the process, either by opting out or opting in.
RJ has to be voluntary for both victims and offenders; if the offender decides they do not want to communicate with you, our team will talk to you about what other support you might want.
Initially the widow had not wanted to engage with us but eventually, we met up and gained her trust, taking things one step at a time. Part of this...
Read MoreShe had been out at the time of the offence but CCTV showed that John had been in her garden for a long time and that he had taken a good deal of t...
Read MoreShe had been arrested after a paramedic came across her wandering in the road in a drunken state. This was not the first time the paramedic had com...
Read MoreShe felt she could not move on until she had met him. Her Victim Liaison Officer referred her to our service and after an initial meeting she was c...
Read MoreUpon his return he assumed the dogs may have been stolen, so sure was he that his garden had been secure. He and his wife went to look for the dogs...
Read MoreHis mum was in her 80’s but very spritely and she had organised a trip to a Christmas market. It was on the return journey, in the mini bus she h...
Read MoreBarbara had received injuries which she recovered from but Dave was paralysed from the waist down. This was obviously life changing for both of the...
Read MoreHer message was delivered, namely that there are consequences to our actions and we each must choose how we behave. She also wanted to tell him tha...
Read MoreGareth, the other driver, had been disqualified but had not been given a custodial sentence and she felt she needed to tell him that it was not ove...
Read MoreHe was convicted of several burglaries and street robberies along with with his friend who had been present at the robberies. Both had been involve...
Read More
The restorative justice process has made me really think about the consequences of my actions.
John, offender
Restorative Justice has really helped. It has given me closure, and I feel much more positive.
Lucy, burglary victim
Now we can get on with our lives without the burden of what happened grinding us down.
Abuse victim
