Project Report: The Role of Victims in Restorative Justice (Law)

This report delves into the core principles of Restorative Justice (RJ), emphasizing its focus on addressing the harm caused by crime and involving affected parties in identifying and meeting their needs. It highlights RJ's recognition of crime as a violation of relationships, its foundation on respect and inclusivity, and its implementation in Canada. The report discusses RJ's positive impacts on victim mental health and satisfaction, especially compared to the traditional criminal justice system, and its effectiveness in cases involving youths, first-time offenders, and minor offenses. It addresses criticisms, such as the potential for unequal power dynamics, and explores its role in reducing repeat offending and costs within the criminal justice system. The report references the Baltimore Sun article showcasing the healing effects of RJ on victims and includes a powerful victim testimonial. The report also references the article that shows the kinship between a previous Baltimore City cop and John Earl Williams, the man who shot him.

Restorative justice is approach to justice
focusing on the address of the harm caused
because of crime, and providing the parties
affected by the crime for identifying and
addressing their needs (Restorative Justice,
2019).
RJ is recognizing the crime to be the
violation of people and relationships
(Victimsfirst, 2019).
RJ is based on respect, compassion and
inclusivity.
In Canada the RJ has been a part of the
criminal justice system for over 40 years.
Restorative justice also encourages
offenders to take responsibility for their
actions (Policy Options, 2018).

As per international research and
evaluation programs in Canada RJ can
provide positive impact on the mental health
and improve satisfaction of the victim.
In comparison to mainstream criminal
justice system, victims were more satisfied
and felt highly empowering by the approach
of RJ
As per a study of the victims of crime it
was found that RJ would be most effective
for youths conflicting law, first time
offenders, minor property offences and
where the victim’s consent has been taken
as well as the offender has been motivated
for participation.

The criticisms on RJ system has been that
it is not able to be managing and
recognizing unequal power among the
participants of the process.
RJ is seen as a modern restatement of the
traditional values.
If unmonitored the offender can further
abuse the victim even after apologizing if
there is no monitoring of the relationship
between the victim and the abuser.
RJ has been believed to appear to go hand-
in-hand with expectations for reduced
offender penalties

It can substantially be reducing the rate of
repeat offending.
 helps reduce the costs of the criminal
justice system.
Is seen to be reducing the post traumatic
stress system.
It maintains the participation of the
community members involved.
According to the newspaer article in the
Baltimore Sun states that restorative
justice heal the victims and reduce the
crime.

In the words of one of the victims
participating in an indigenous justice
program, about the experience of RJ,
“I started to feel fear in my everyday life that [the
offender] might see me in the community and hurt
me… I was happy to have a conversation with [the
offender] to understand their perspective of what
happened… telling [the offender] the effects that
the crime had on me and hearing [the offender]
take responsibility for their actions allowed me to
start to move on.”.
Another story put on the Baltimore Sun
was seen to be portraying impossible
kinship between a previous Baltimore City
cop and John Earl Williams, the man who
shot him and slaughtered another official
almost 42 years earlier (Baltimore Sun,
2018).

References
Policy Options. (2018). Restorative Justice: Rebuilding
Relationships With Society. Retrieved 8 August 2019,
from
https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/april-2018/r
estorative-justice-rebuilding-relationships-society/
Victimsfirst. (2019). Discussion Paper - What is
Restorative Justice. Retrieved 8 August 2019, from
https://www.victimsfirst.gc.ca/res/pub/gfo-ore/RJ.ht
ml
Baltimore Sun. (2018). Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 8
August 2019, from
https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-
op-0125-restorative-justice-20180124-story.html
Restorative Justice. (2019). Restorative Justice.
Retrieved 8 August 2019, from
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/rj-jr/index.html