Victim Centered Restorative Justice

Articles on the needs and interests of victims and how those can be given priority in restorative processes.

RJ

Because we have a system that is known as the 'justice system', I understand that we probably need to differentiate Restorative Justice from mere 'justice'. [...]

Laura's Law: Remembering the victims of violence

by Lisa Rea Considering gun related violence and its impact on the victims, I remember the courageous work of Amanda and Nick Wilcox in Northern California in the name of their daughter, Laura. A recent press piece describes what they have done to fight violence since the shooting death of their daughter at the hands of Scott Thorpe on January 10, 2001.

The promise of restorative justice: New approaches for criminal justice and beyond

reviewed by Martin Wright It is becoming increasingly clear that the principles of restorative justice can be used, as the editors say, outside the formal criminal justice system, and this book bears witness to that. Half is about criminal justice, and half about other applications in schools and elsewhere. The contributors reflect the book’s origins among a group at Fresno Pacific University in California, but other chapters come from Bulgaria, Canada, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

We all have the rigth to feel safe all the time

 I am a health care provider/counsellor for victims of the MARPS (Most At Risk Populations).My most recent victim is a sixteen year old female who [...]

Making RJ Available to Victims At Any Time

Absolutely, Brian. I particularly agree with your comment about making RJ available to victims at any time. There should be no statute of limitations on [...]

Victims to meet offenders

I would like to see people who have been victimized, or a person who they have suggested (surrogate) have the right to meet with the [...]

Denying Crime Victims the Option to Meet their Offenders

Alfonso, I don't recall being in touch but glad we have been! It's good you are having this discussion in a class on victimology. Where [...]

i agree that victims should have the option to meet with their offenders

I agree with the notion that victims should have the option to meet with their offenders if they so chose to do so. I am [...]

Victims ask for restorative justice: are we ready?

Thank you for posting this story. Again, victims of violent crime are increasingly asking for restorative justice. They are hearing of the great value of [...]

Blackburn father wants to meet his son's killer

from the article by Sam Chadderton in This Is Lancashire: The father of a man who died from a single punch in Blackburn town centre wants to meet his son’s killer. William Upton, 17, is currently serving half of a three-and-a-half year custodial sentence after he was convicted of the manslaughter of 24-year-old Adam Rogers, earlier this year. Now Adam’s dignified dad Dave Rogers has expressed a wish to speak face-to-face with the Rishton teenager as part of a ‘restorative justice’ initiative.

Restorative Justice Conferencing: The key for victims is in one question.

from Kris Miner's entry on Restorative Justice and Circles: One area of Restorative Justice Professionalism I focus on, is remembering ALL victims. Some victims do not get a victim-witness worker through the prosecutor’s office. The list of Victims Rights for Wisconsin is very court-room, criminal justice system process orientated. That’s good, victims need support and help navigating that. What I do is restorative justice, and in striving to do that well for all victims I have experienced a conferencing question that is KEY.

priest abuse

Earlier I searched for an example of a priest abuse case using restorative justice and I did find one case reported in Rhode Island.The story [...]

RJ: victims centered or offender focused?

Lynette, good to link that project (the Listening Project). I think those who practice restorative justice, or advocate for it, need to always check themselves [...]

Victims and RJ

On victims and RJ, I've heard concerns before that RJ is more offender focused. Actually from my experiences, it is actually rather easy to focus [...]

Canada and restorative justice

James, thanks for your comments. Can you give us more feedback about your work in Canada (including identifying yourself for those reading this blog)? Do [...]

yes

I agree that there is substantial need to shift the response to harm in our churches from denial, defensiveness and blaming to genuine engagement, openness [...]

clergy abuse & restorative justice

Thank you, Dale, for your comments. I think that would be a great way for Catholics to express their support for restorative justice. And as [...]

Response to Lisa Rea's Article

I wholeheartedly support the use of restorative justice in helping to heal the abuse issues in the Catholic Church. I've seen it work miracles before, [...]

Clergy sexual abuse: A cry for restorative justice

by Lisa Rea: At this hour, I would guess that some around the world are weary of the news stories of abuse that have rocked the Catholic Church in recent weeks. But to me, it's a reminder of how far we have to go to heal the injuries suffered by the victims (survivors) of abuse.

legislators need to hear from victims who support restorative justice

Hello, Judy. I agree with you to a point. You are right that legislators often look at the bottom line first (i.e. the cost) when [...]