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Summary

Umbreit, Mark S and Vos, Betty and Coates, Robert B (2001). Fact Sheet: What We Are Learning from Research: Victim Offender Mediation & Dialogue in Crimes of Severe Violence Saint Paul, MN: University of Minnesota, School of Social Work, Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking. Downloaded 11 January 2005.

According to the authors of this brief fact sheet, there is anecdotal support for the healing value of mediated dialogue between victims and offenders in crimes of severe violence. The question is whether research confirms the anecdotal evidence. Of three studies of such victim offender mediation in cases of severe violence, the first two were small exploratory initiatives. The third, initiated in 1998, was the largest; it was a multi-site, multi-year study. This fact sheet summarizes the research method and preliminary data results. The authors claim the early research results substantiate the value of mediated dialogue between victims and offenders in dealing with the effects of crimes of severe violence.

Link: 2ssw.che.umn.edu/rjp/Resources/Documents/VSOD-RESSHT.pdf

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