Restorative Justice is about communication

Restorative Justice can create an opportunity for those harmed by crime or conflict, and those responsible for the harm, to communicate about what has happened. It is a safe, empowering process where all parties are supported to repair the harm and find a positive way forward.

For some people who have been affected by crime, it can help them to explore why the crime happened. It can help victims move forward and feel less fearful of crime in the future.

Evidence shows that most people who take part in a Restorative Justice process come away feeling satisfied because it has allowed them to have their say.

Restorative Justice has a proven, significant impact in supporting victims and allowing them to move forward with their lives. 85% of victims who have participated in Restorative Justice would recommend the Restorative Justice process.

For offenders, Restorative Justice can help provide the opportunity for them to accept responsibility and recognise the impact that their offending behaviour has had on others. The process can also allow offenders to seek ways to repair some of the harm caused and make amends.

In this way, Restorative Justice has the potential to help rehabilitate offenders and support them in addressing their offending behaviour.

Learn more about Restorative Justice

To learn more please contact our team on freephone 0800 043 8785 or email hiow@restorativesolutions.org.uk.

Restorative Justice Hampshire will seek to understand what has happened and the impact it has had on you, and we will talk you through your options.

What happens next?

If you would like to learn more about the Restorative Justice process, a member of our team will meet with you to talk through your options. We will seek to understand what has happened and the impact it has had on you.

Afterwards, if you feel that you would like to communicate through a Restorative Justice process, the service will try to arrange this. Any involvement is completely voluntary for all parties and the timing and method of any Restorative Justice communication or meeting will be in line with the needs of all parties involved.

The service is free of charge and is completely confidential and impartial.

The process

If parties agree to meet, and the Restorative Justice team assess that a meeting will be safe for those involved, the facilitators will carry out preparation work using a trauma informed approach. They will ensure that the individual needs of participants are at the centre of any process. Further preparation is carried out with all parties including any supporters such as a friend or family member before arranging a Restorative Justice conference.

The Restorative Justice conference will be facilitated in a safe and neutral venue. The facilitators will ensure a fair process for all, where each participant will have the opportunity to talk about what happened and together agree the best way forward. However, if a face-to-face meeting is not agreeable or safe, facilitators will support another form of communication such as indirect shuttling of information between parties or an exchange of letters.

Why do offenders take part?

Restorative Justice can be helpful for offenders because it enables them to understand the impact that their actions during the incident have had on the victim. It gives offenders the opportunity to listen and answer any questions the victim has and to consider the consequences of their behaviour.