Victim Offender Mediation
INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
What is a Victim-Offender Mediation?
Victim Offender mediation is a process whereby a trained mediator acts as a 'go-between' between a victim and an offender to establish whether, and if so, on what terms, contact might take place between them.
Participation is voluntary, and in most cases compliance with any agreement resulting from mediation will rely on the goodwill of those making the agreement.
Where an offender is subject to a supervised order of parole or probation, compliance with the terms of the agreement might be included as a condition of the order. Where this is the case, any breach of the agreement would be reported to Court or the Parole Board.
What are the aims of Victim-Offender Mediation?
Victim Offender mediation is aimed at assisting victims and offenders to clarify their needs and wishes about the issue of future contact, and to determine practical details in relation to that contact. In this way the process offers protection to both victims and offenders who are likely to come in contact with each other.
The scheme can:
- provide victims who are likely to come in contact with offenders a mechanism for negotiating the level and nature of contact.
- clarify the nature and level of contact for a victim and offender through the process of mediation and written agreement.
When can Victim-Offender Mediation be helpful?
Victim Offender Mediation could be helpful in the following situations:
- where an offender is returning to a small community and may come into contact with the victim.
- where the victim was a family member who wishes to maintain contact but wants certain conditions met.
- where there is a need to agree about arrangements for access to children of a relationship which has ended.
Who can refer?
Referrals to the program can be initiated by victims, offenders, or anyone working with victims or offenders.
Important points to remember
- Participation in Victim Offender mediation is voluntary.
- Victim Offender Mediation can occur without a face to face meeting between the victim and offender.
- Any agreement made relies on the goodwill of those people making the agreement.