Restorative Justice – A Victim-Centered Approach

There is great power in being heard.

Victims of crime benefit from just “being heard”. The emotional toll exacted from recipients of criminal acts can be overwhelmingly discouraging, disempowering and disheartening. This trauma may continue – not merely throughout the prosecution of the case, but indeed – for many – a lifetime of loss; of a loved one, a sense of security, of trust and belief in the goodness of others…

Victims suffer – and experience a range of emotions – from disappointment to despair. How does society help these individuals find “justice”? How do we help victims heal?

Restorative Justice (RJ) is a way to support victims of crime – a program that values victims’ rights and supports their journey to justice. It’s representative of a global social change movement that endorses peaceful approaches to repairing harm, problem-solving and violations of legal and human rights.

August 10, 2011, was an historic day for Restorative Justice in the state of Colorado. Restorative Justice HB 11-1032 went into effect. This law requires that victims be informed of their right to use restorative processes; allowing for victim initiated restorative justice only.

Imagine a scenario where a victim’s story can be affirmed and validated, in a safe, supportive environment, and the experience and hardships experienced as a victim of crime can be recognized and addressed in the process of repairing the harm.

This is happening now - here in the 11th Judicial District. Full Circle Restorative Justice (FCRJ) addresses the harm caused by crime, and provides opportunities for victim empowerment and restitution, while supporting offender accountability and integration back into the community.

Restorative Justice gives victims a voice in the justice process, helping them to express their experience to offenders to enable those who harmed them (or their loved ones) to understand the impact of their actions through Victim-Offender Conferences. Full Circle volunteer facilitators are trained in Compassionate Communication and facilitating a restorative circle with respect and empathy.

The victim is offered the opportunity for a conference, generally through the District Attorney, or a school principal, and is welcome to bring family members and friends as support. While the idea of meeting the individual that has harmed them may seem intimidating at first to victims, it gives them an opportunity to confront the offender – (who is thoroughly screened prior to the restorative circle, so that the chance of re-victimization is practically non-existent). Victims are encouraged to speak freely - surrounded by caring community members - and to define justice on their terms – with input on what will it take to repair the harm; how many hours of community service, the amount of restitution, and perhaps a letter of apology.

A written agreement/contract is prepared, which takes into account the victim’s input and requests and focuses on repairing the harm that was done -- with the offender agreeing to restitution, community service, and other sanctions. That contract will be filed with the court or school system - offenders fulfill their mutually-agreed upon contracts or return to the D.A.’s Office or the principal.

Restorative Justice involves a fostering of dialogue between the offender and the victim, providing the opportunity for the victim to be heard and for the healing process to begin. RJ has shown the highest rates of victim satisfaction and empowerment, true accountability by the offender, and reduced recidivism.

Full Circle Restorative Justice evaluation comments from the Victim’s perspective:

“This is a hopeful process providing a real opportunity for repair of harm.”

“The emotional aspect added meaning to the cause.”

“Openness and honesty – very powerful.”

“Everything was laid out on the table with all questions asked and answered.”

“It was more personal than court.”

“There was face to face communication to move past the harm; the reconstruction of community.”

Here is an excerpt from a Letter to the Editor published in The Mountain Mail and on the Salida Citizen website, describing a victim’s experience with Full Circle Restorative Justice:

During the summer of 2009 my family and I were repeated victims of vandalism. Like anyone would, I began to fear for my family’s safety. Angry, disgusted are only a fragment of the emotions we experienced during that time. Happily we were notified that several juvenile offenders had been caught and confessed to the damage that occurred on our property.

We were given the opportunity to meet one of the offenders through the Full Circle Restorative Justice program (FCRJ). Restorative justice is not a “soft” approach, by any means, as it requires everyone impacted by crime to come together to “make right” as best as possible, and to create opportunities for healing.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude FCRJ for their exceptional work and leadership of this program. Accountability and support must go hand in hand. Full Circle Restorative Justice is building that system and has made my sense of community feel whole again. Thank you FCRJ for bringing peace and forgiveness to my family and me.

The volunteers and staff at Full Circle understand that the concept of Restorative Justice – moving from retribution/punishment to restoration/repair in response to harm - is a paradigm shift. Please contact us for more information and support at fullcirclerj@gmail.com or call 719 221-3069.


By Patty LaTaille
Executive Director
Full Circle Restorative Justice
fullcirclerj@gmail.com

Published online at The Salida Citizen on August 17, 2010 http://salidacitizen.com/salida/community/