Restorative Justice

“Restorative Justice brings those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm into communication, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward” Restorative Justice Council

Restorative Justice is a process that opens up communication between victims and offenders. It gives victims a voice and allows them to explain to the offender how they have been impacted by the incident and get answers to any questions that only the offender can provide.

It requires a direct or indirect victim of crime

It requires an offender who is remorseful for their actions.

It is always victim focused & not an alternative to usual justice methods.

Is always risk assessed prior to engaging in an intervention.

Is a voluntary process for all parties involved.

Different types of Restorative Justice

Direct Restorative Justice:

Restorative Conference:
Supervised face-to-face meeting facilitated by a trained facilitator

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Indirect Restorative Justice:

Letter of Explanation:
A letter written by the offender providing an explanation and/or an apology for their offending behaviour

Mediation/Shuttle Mediation:
Mediation via a third party to communicate feelings and thoughts without meeting the offender.

How can we help/ what can we do?

We are proud to have all staff trained as Restorative Justice Facilitators. They will discuss with you what additional choices and options may be available in relation to a restorative solution. This does not have to be face to face.

Our Victim and Witness Support Officers are available to discuss your choices and options, inform you fully of the process and provide support throughout. Should you wish to participate in any of the interventions, our trained facilitators can be there in person to support you throughout and ensure that you have additional support in place after you have engaged in the process.

We also work closely with partner agencies including the Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) and Northumbria Police to ensure that all Restorative Interventions are fully risk assessed and suitable to progress.

Benefits for Victims

Participating in Restorative Justice has proven to help improve a victim’s cope and recovery helping them to recover from the crime.

Allows a victim to tell their story, be heard and understood.

Reduce a victim’s level of fear by personalising the offender.

Largely reduces a victims’ post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Brings the victim a sense of closure.

Enables a victim to ask questions and get answers.

Can help a victim gain their confidence back.

Empowers a victim to help make a difference to an offender’s behaviour.

Repairs the harm caused and allows for reparations to be made.

Is there any feedback about the benefits of Restorative Justice?

We are proud to announce that 100% of service users have been satisfied with the Restorative service they have received

We have previously celebrated winning awards in Restorative Services, assuring service users that we provide a quality Restorative service.

Have you been a victim of crime and want to enquire about taking part in Restorative Justice?

Contact us here

Still want to know more?

Watch these videos explaining what Restorative Justice is or Peter Woolfs – The Woolf Within to find out more about how Restorative Justice can help you after crime or download our Restorative Justice leaflet here

Partners we work with in Restorative Justice

Northumbria Police

Northumbira Police

As the initial point of contact for most victims of crime, Northumbria Police will discuss Restorative Justice with the victim when completing a Victims Needs Assessment. The officer will explain what Restorative Justice is and explore their choices and options in further detail. Northumbria Police will then refer the victim into our service.

Probation

The National Probation Service currently works with high risk offenders. The National Probation Service also assists in identifying cases suitable for a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, if the offender is standard or medium risk it is then the duty of the Community Rehabilitation Company to determine whether Restorative Justice forms a part of this requirement.

Community Rehabilitation Company

The Community Rehabilitation Company is responsible for managing low and medium risk offenders in the community. The Community Rehabilitation Company works closely with ourselves in operating a victim centered approach to the delivery of Restorative Justice across Northumbria.