International Restorative Justice Week 17-24 November 2019

International Restorative Justice Week starts on Sunday 17 November and runs for a week through to 24 November.

Restorative Justice gives victims of crime an opportunity to have a voice within the criminal justice system. The campaign highlights the benefits that Restorative Justice can have for victims of crime and to raise awareness that this service is available.

Restorative Justice involves the victim and offender having managed communication with each other; this could be through letter, face to face or via a shuttled conversation. All communication is managed by a trained facilitator.

This process allows victims to feel empowered and to help them move forward with their lives. Restorative Justice is a service for victims; it does not replace criminal justice proceedings but works alongside it.

It encourages the offenders to acknowledge the impact of their crime, as well as allowing them the opportunity to make reparation, such as an apology.

It is not a soft option, many offenders find it difficult to take responsibility and face up to the impact of their crimes. Listening to the victims’ perception of the crime can also be an uncomfortable experience for the offender.

Jill Hill is the Restorative Justice Service Development Manager. She said, “Restorative Justice is a victim centred process which supports victims of crime deal with the stress caused by a crime. It is a chance for the people who have been harmed to tell their story and share the pain and impact of the crime on their lives, with the person who has caused it.

Many of the victims we work with have specific questions that have not been answered through the criminal justice process which they are able to gain answers to through this process, questions such as ‘Why me?’”.

Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said: “Victims must be at the heart of the criminal justice system and restorative justice is an inspired service that gives victims or anyone affected by a crime a voice.  I would encourage anyone who has been a victim to get in touch with Jill for a chat to explore restorative justice can work for them.”

Superintendent Pete Grayson said: “Having seen the positive impact that restorative justice can achieve for victims and their families I am a strong advocate for its use and its benefits.

Restorative justice processes provide an opportunity to empower victims, allowing them to influence the outcome of their experience of the criminal justice system and, in some cases even regain that important feeling of control through a well- managed interaction with an offender. The very positive benefits that victims get from a wide range of restorative justice processes should not be underestimated”.

Restorative Solutions work in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner and Lincolnshire Police to support victims of crime through Restorative Justice.

To find out more about the Restorative Justice Service in Lincolnshire,  please contact Jill Hill,  Email jillhill@restorativesolutions.org.uk or Phone 01522 947246

For more information about Restorative Solutions, please refer to the website www.restorativesolutions.org.uk

Restorative Solutions

Restorative Solutions CIC is the leading provider of Restorative Justice and wider Restorative Approaches in England and Wales.

Established in 2004 by Sir Charles Pollard and Nigel Whiskin MBE as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC), we are committed to embedding restorative approaches across all communities, through delivering innovative programmes and delivering effective and quality training and services to achieve the best possible outcomes for victims and support offenders in their rehabilitation.

We work with several Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales to develop and deliver bespoke Restorative Justice support. 

Restorative Solutions also work with other organisations, including, the NHS, Local Education Authorities, Children Services and Housing Associations to resolve conflict, address and challenge unacceptable behaviour and develop emotional literacy by using restorative approaches.

RJ FACTS

• Does RJ always mean meeting face to face?
  • RJ can take place face to face but it can also be completed via letter, exchange of letters or through shuttle conference. The method is based on the individual needs of the victim or victims and follows a thorough preparation and risk assessment process.
• Does RJ always happen once the process has started?
  • RJ is voluntary for all involved and any participant, victim or offender, can pull out at any time. This is made clear to all involved each step of the way.
• Does RJ give ‘credit’ to the offender at court or in prison?
  • An offender receives no ‘credit’ for participating in RJ, the criminal justice system is very clear on this point. Research shows that offenders who participate in RJ are less likely to re-offend, that is a by-product to what is a service provided for victims.
• Is RJ an alternative to court?
  • RJ is not an alternative to court and is not a crime disposal. It is a service for those who have been harmed by crime providing facilitated communication with the person or people who have caused them harm. This process allows victims to feel empowered and to help them move forward with their lives.
• Can RJ be used for more serious offences?
  • Under the Victims’ Code of Practice every victim or person affected by crime is entitled to information on how to access RJ. If following preparation and risk assessment it is appropriate to proceed RJ can be used for any offence from shoplifting to manslaughter.
• Can RJ cause more harm than good?
  • Any RJ intervention would only happen following thorough preparation and risk assessment. The emotional and physical safety of those involved is paramount.
• Does RJ mean the victim has to forgive the offender?
  • Victims enter the RJ process for many different reasons. Some victims wish to explain the effect of the crime, some have questions that only the offender can answer, some want to understand if the offender is remorseful and on occasion we have had victims who wish to forgive. Those reasons are unique to each participant and there is no prerequisite for what those reasons are.