Restorative justice aims to address the consequences of crime by
encouraging victims and offenders to communicate and discuss the harm
caused by the crime that has been committed. In the majority of cases,
restorative justice is facilitated by direct and indirect dialogue
between victims and offenders, but it also includes support networks and
sometimes involves professionals such as police, lawyers, social workers
or prosecutors and judges.
In theory, the victim is a core participant in restorative justice and
the restoration of the harm is a first concern. In practice, questions
arise as to whether the victim is actively involved in the process, what
restoration may entail, whether there is a risk of secondary
victimisation and whether the victim is truly at the heart of the
restorative response, or whether the offender remains the focal point of
attention.
Using a combination of victimological literature and empirical data from
a European research project, this book considers the role and the
position of the victim in restorative justice practices, focusing on
legislative, organisational and institutional frameworks of
victim-offender mediation and conferencing programmes at a national and
local level, as well as the victims' personal needs and experiences. The
findings are essential reading for academics and students engaged in the
study of justice, victimology and law. The publication will also be
valuable to policymakers and professionals such as social workers,
lawyers and mediators.
