: a system of dealing with criminal behaviour which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation within victims. Offenders see the impact of their crime and the process empowers victims by giving them a “voice.”
Restorative justice has to be voluntary for all parties and seeks a positive outcome. It is respectful and not degrading for either offender or victim
14%
percentage of reduction in re-offending rates restorative justice achieve, according to the UK Restorative Justice Council (2015)
3 aims of restorative justice
rehabilitation of offenders - enables offender to understand effects on victim and take responsibility which should have an effect on their future behaviour
atonement for wrongdoing - can be compensation or just showing feelings of guilt and understanding of their actions whilst the victim expresses their distress
victim's perspective- reduce sense of victimisation as they are not powerless, develop understanding of offender reducing their feelings of being harmed
applied to peace circles , sit in circles one speak at at a time to foster and environment of respect in communities
