Things to Consider Before Taking Part in Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is a voluntary process and one that can be incredibly powerful for those who take part. It gives victims and offenders the chance to communicate, whether directly or indirectly, which can help them move forward in their lives. While there are plenty of benefits to Restorative Justice, there are various things that need to be considered before taking part.

Cost

Restorative Justice is a voluntary process and it is free to take part.

Time Commitment

Many people are unaware of the time commitment Restorative Justice requires. When a potential participant is first referred, trained facilitators meet with the victim and offender separately to prepare them for communication.

The preparation stage includes explaining the process, addressing any concerns and setting expectations for behaviour, language and respect. It is essential that facilitators make sure both parties are willing to participate and are fully prepared before any form of communication takes place between the victim and offender. So the process can be a lengthy one. The length can vary from just a few days in more minor cases, to months or even years in the most complex and sensitive cases. This is to ensure everyone is properly prepared before communication takes place.

Emotional Impact

Restorative Justice can be effective at helping victims and offenders reflect on the incident and move forward with their lives. Victims have the opportunity to have their questions answered and offenders have the chance to explain what they did, see the impact of their actions and apologise.

However, the process can also take an emotional toll on participants, reopening old wounds and recounting memories about the crime. To help with this, facilitators take time to make sure participants’ expectations are managed and that communication will be held in a way that best suits them. Each case is handled entirely separately, and participants will be as prepared as possible before communication takes place so there are no surprises on the day. This can include knowing where everyone will be seated, who will speak first, the questions the victim would like to ask and exactly who will be in the room while the conversation takes place.

For both parties, communication, whether direct or indirect, can have a huge emotional impact, and this is something to be aware of before taking part in Restorative Justice. If either party decides at any point that the process is no longer the right fit for them, they can opt out.

Purpose of Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is about communication to allow participants to move on. It can build and restore relationships if that is what participants want. It gives victims and offenders the opportunity to communicate, ask questions and move forward from the incident. During the initial stages of the process, facilitators make sure that Restorative Justice is right for both parties. If the reason the victim or offender is asking to take part does not align, Restorative Justice may not be possible.

Sensitive or complex cases involving domestic violence or sexual offences, or where there has been a death involved, are all carefully risk assessed and delivered by specially trained facilitators. If they feel Restorative Justice isn’t appropriate or would be unsafe, a decision is made that it is not possible. This is to make sure victims or offenders are not put in a situation that is likely to cause them more harm.

Restorative Justice not being possible only occurs in a minority of cases and the decision is always made with the participants’ best interests in mind.

Repairing Harm

There is a lot to consider before agreeing to take part in Restorative Justice, but the process can help repair some of the harm caused after a crime has taken place. It allows victims to gain back a sense of control, giving them answers to questions, and the offender the opportunity to hear first-hand the impact of their actions.

If you have been affected by crime and think Restorative Justice could be right for you, be sure to get in touch.