New Information Available From Justice Department About Victim-Offender Mediation 
 To: National Desk
 Contact: Office of Justice Programs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs,
          202-307-0703; Web site: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov 
          http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc                       

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 -- A new series of five documents from
the Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) provides guidance
on establishing victim-sensitive restorative justice programs, such as victim-
offender mediation.  The collection also covers a number of important issues
related to restorative justice.

    "Guidelines for Victim-Sensitive Victim-Offender Mediation: Restorative
Justice Through Dialogue" sets standards for the practice of victim-offender
mediation.  "The National Survey of Victim-Offender Mediation Programs in the
U.S." contains information about the characteristics of the various victim-
offender mediation programs operating nationwide and the major issues facing
them in their daily operations.  Directory of Victim-Offender Mediation
Programs in the U.S. lists all identified victim-offender mediation programs
in the country.

    "Family Group Conferencing: Implications for Crime Victims" discusses a
related form of restorative justice dialogue, which originated in New Zealand
and Australia and has been replicated in some communities in the U.S.  "Multi-
Cultural Implications of Restorative Justice: Potential Pitfalls and Dangers"
informs practitioners about issues that may arise when working with persons
from different cultures.

    The document collection will be distributed to probation and parole
officers, police departments, victim service providers and those who
participated in the development of the survey and directory of victim-offender
mediation programs.

    Publication: The Restorative Justice and Mediation Collection

    The Restorative Justice and Mediation Collection is available
electronically at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc or by calling OVC's Resource 
Center toll-free at 1-800-627-6872.

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without restriction.

    OVC00217

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