Restorative Justice
Changing the emphasis
Historically, crime was committed against the state (to enforce laws and punish).
Now: needs of the individual victim (to come to terms with the crime and move on).
Victims take an active role and offenders are required to take responsibility and face up to
what they have done.
The restorative justice process
John Braithwaite (2004): “crime hurts, justice should heal”.
Process of managed collaboration between offender and victim based on the related
principles of healing and empowerment.
Supervised meeting attended by a trained mediator.
Victim confronts the offender and explain how the incident affected them- emotional
distress.
Important in the rehabilitation process.
1
Changing the emphasis
Historically, crime was committed against the state (to enforce laws and punish).
Now: needs of the individual victim (to come to terms with the crime and move on).
Victims take an active role and offenders are required to take responsibility and face up to
what they have done.
The restorative justice process
John Braithwaite (2004): “crime hurts, justice should heal”.
Process of managed collaboration between offender and victim based on the related
principles of healing and empowerment.
Supervised meeting attended by a trained mediator.
Victim confronts the offender and explain how the incident affected them- emotional
distress.
Important in the rehabilitation process.
1
