What is Restorative Justice and How Does it Work?
Restorative Justice is a confidential service for victims of crime. Under the Victims Code of Practice, it is a victim’s right to be provided with information about their local restorative justice service and access to a trained professional who will speak to them about whether restorative justice can support them in the way that they need to move forward from their experience of crime.
Restorative Justice gives victims a voice to ask the offender why they did what they did and to explain how they have been affected by the offender’s actions.
Victims may take part in Restorative Justice because they:
- Want to feel safer and less frightened.
- Need to know if/why they were targeted.
- Want the offender to know the personal impact of the crime.
- Don’t want it to happen to someone else.
- Have other questions that only the offender can answer.
“I felt safe, heard, helped with my trauma and healing journey.” – RJ participant
Restorative Justice holds offenders to account for what they have done. It helps them to understand the real consequences of their actions on others and to take responsibility for the harm they have caused. It also helps to reduce re-offending.
“The person I was allocated was professional , kind, knowledgeable about my concerns”. – RJ participant
How does Restorative Justice work?
The facilitators will meet with you to listen to you and understand your individual circumstances and your needs. If it is safe to proceed, the facilitators will meet with the offender separately.
We will only share information with the offender if we have your consent to do so.
Both victim and offender must be willing to take part in the process and both will have a say in how they will communicate. This might be via the facilitator relaying dialogue back and forth, by letter or in person at a face-to-face meeting. This is called a restorative conference.
Both victim and offender may have several preparation meetings with the facilitators before a conference is held.
Who will be at the restorative conference?
Only those involved in the preparation meetings will be invited to the conference:
- Victim
- Victim’s supporter
- Offender
- Offender’s supporter
- Two restorative justice facilitators
If there are multiple victims and offenders who want to take part in a conference, the restorative justice provider will assess the risks and arrange a safe processes for everyone involved.
Who are supporters?
All participants are asked if they would like to invite someone to support them during the process. This could be a family member, a friend or professional who is providing support. The supporter will participate in preparation meetings and attend a restorative conference with you.
What happens at the conference?
Each participant will be given equal opportunity to talk about what happened, who was impacted and how, and what they think should happen next. This is an opportunity to explore if there is anything the offender can do to repair some of the harm caused. If any actions are agreed there may be an outcome agreement that everyone consents to.
Will the facilitators offer any additional support?
The facilitators are trained in restorative justice facilitation and will support all participants through the process. They remain neutral and do not take sides – everyone is treated with equal dignity and respect.
After the process has concluded the facilitators will check in with you before the case is closed. Facilitators can put you in touch with additional support services or make a referral on your behalf where appropriate at any stage of the process.
“My RJ staff member kept me informed, made me feel supported and heard.”- RJ participant
Is restorative justice safe?
Calm Mediation Restorative Justice Service is commissioned by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to provide the restorative justice service for London. We are an approved, registered provider with the Restorative Justice Council and adhere to the principles and framework of safe practice in restorative justice.
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