NCJ Number
180714
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: 1999 Pages: 295-320
Date Published
1999
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This article presents the findings from a series of focus groups of crime victims who discussed barriers to victim involvement and services in juvenile court.
Abstract
Restorative justice should not be viewed as a panacea for victims. It is no substitute for an active and aggressive victims' movement and no substitute for individual victims and advocacy groups monitoring and questioning whether policies and practices implemented in their name in fact serve their interests. Restorative justice provides victims with a rationale for persuading criminal justice professionals: services that meet their needs ultimately also serve the best interests of communities and offenders. The focus group process, modified to include other juvenile justice professionals, can be an effective tool for opening a dialogue between these professionals and the victims' community, for assessing current practices and support for reform and planning systemic reform initiatives. Notes, references