Restorative Justice for Victims and Survivors
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The process of Restorative Justice is victim-centered. With proper preparation, victims who choose to participate in Restorative Justice have found it to be empowering and healing.
The criminal justice system does not allow the victim to express his or her feelings or to say to the offender how a crime has affected him or her. Not only does Restorative Justice provide that opportunity in a safe setting, it is also empowering because the victim has a say in what needs to happen in order for things to be made right (or as right as possible). Sometimes a victim may not be ready to meet with an offender for a long time, maybe several years. Sometimes other restorative processes can be more helpful than a face-to-face meeting. |
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Many years later a victim of a violent crime finds freedom from her anger and bitterness after a face to face meeting with the offender: |
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