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Welcome, and thank you for registering for our Restorative Justice Training! This comprehensive course includes a variety of educational resources, such as reading materials, PDFs, and videos, to help you develop a deeper understanding of restorative justice principles and practices.
Upon completing all course materials, please reach out to our Director at 951-440-5645. You will engage in a brief discussion to review your learning experience, and upon successful completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Restorative Justice CLE 6 Hour Course.
We appreciate your commitment to learning about restorative justice and hope you find the training informative and transformative.
Upon completing all course materials, please reach out to our Director at 951-440-5645. You will engage in a brief discussion to review your learning experience, and upon successful completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Restorative Justice CLE 6 Hour Course.
We appreciate your commitment to learning about restorative justice and hope you find the training informative and transformative.
Victim-offender mediation (VOM) is a restorative justice process that provides an opportunity for victims and offenders to engage in a structured dialogue, with the goal of promoting understanding, healing, and closure. The following are some strategies to effectively conduct victim-offender mediation:
- Preparation: a. Thoroughly assess the suitability of cases for mediation, considering factors such as the willingness of the participants, the nature of the offense, and the potential for positive outcomes. b. Conduct separate pre-mediation sessions with the victim and offender to explain the process, assess their readiness, and address any concerns.
- Establish ground rules: a. Clearly outline the mediation process and expectations, including confidentiality and the voluntary nature of participation. b. Encourage open and respectful communication, ensuring that both parties agree to avoid blame, interrupting, or aggressive behavior.
- Active listening: a. Create a safe and supportive environment for the victim and offender to share their feelings and perspectives. b. Encourage empathy by asking open-ended questions and paraphrasing participants' statements to ensure understanding.
- Facilitate communication: a. Guide the conversation by asking probing questions that help clarify the facts and emotions surrounding the offense. b. Encourage the victim to express the impact of the offense on their life, and provide the offender the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and express remorse.
- Collaborative problem-solving: a. Work with the victim and offender to brainstorm possible solutions or reparative actions, such as restitution, community service, or a written apology. b. Encourage both parties to consider the feasibility, fairness, and potential benefits of each proposed solution.
- Agreement and follow-up: a. Draft a mutually agreeable resolution, including specific and measurable actions to be taken by the offender to address the harm caused. b. Schedule follow-up sessions to monitor progress, provide support, and address any additional concerns or issues that may arise.
- Closure and reflection: a. Provide a structured opportunity for both parties to reflect on the mediation process and express any final thoughts or feelings. b. Encourage the victim and offender to acknowledge the progress made and the potential for growth and healing moving forward.
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SAMPLE DIALOGUE OF A VICTIM-OFFENDER MEDIATION:
In this fictional dialogue, the mediator, Anne, facilitates a victim-offender mediation between the victim, Sarah, and the offender, David. The dialogue is meant to demonstrate the structure and progression of a typical victim-offender mediation session.
Anne (mediator): Welcome, Sarah and David. I appreciate your willingness to participate in this mediation process. The goal today is to encourage open communication, promote understanding, and collaboratively explore potential resolutions. Before we begin, let's agree on some ground rules. We will listen to each other with respect, avoid blaming or interrupting, and speak honestly about our feelings and experiences. Are we all in agreement?
Sarah (victim): Yes, I agree.
David (offender): I agree as well.
Anne: Great. Sarah, would you like to start by sharing your perspective on what happened and how it has affected you?
Sarah: Sure. When I came home and saw that my house had been burglarized, I was devastated. The sense of violation was overwhelming. Not only did I lose valuable items, but I also lost my sense of security in my own home. I've had trouble sleeping and feel constantly on edge.
Anne: Thank you for sharing, Sarah. David, can you please share your perspective on the incident and how you feel about what happened?
David: Yes, I'm the one who broke into Sarah's house. I'm not proud of what I did, and I regret my actions. At the time, I was struggling with addiction and needed money for drugs. I wasn't thinking about the people I was hurting. Now that I'm clean, I understand the pain I've caused, and I want to make amends.
Anne: David, how did it feel to hear Sarah describe the impact of your actions on her life?
David: It was hard to hear. I never intended to cause that much pain and suffering, and I feel deeply sorry for what I did.
Anne: Sarah, how did it feel to hear David express remorse for his actions?
Sarah: I appreciate his apology, but it doesn't change what happened. I still have to live with the consequences of his actions.
Anne: I understand. Now let's work together to explore potential solutions that may help address the harm caused. What are some possible reparative actions that David could take?
Sarah: I would like him to pay for the items he stole or replace them. I would also appreciate it if he could do some community service, maybe at a local homeless shelter.
David: I'm willing to pay for the stolen items, and I'm open to doing community service. I want to make amends and help others in the community.
Anne: Thank you both for your suggestions. Let's create an agreement that includes specific actions David will take, such as restitution for the stolen items and completing community service hours. We can also schedule follow-up sessions to monitor progress and provide additional support as needed.
This dialogue demonstrates the structure of a victim-offender mediation, where both parties are given an opportunity to share their perspectives, emotions, and ideas for resolution. The mediator helps facilitate open communication and collaborative problem-solving while maintaining a neutral and supportive environment.
ACTIVE LISTENING HANDOUT:
| active-listening-handout.pdf |
ACTIVE LISTENING VIDEO TRAINING:
