NCJ Number
177657
Date Published
1997
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This report lists the purpose and underlying principles of victim-offender mediation before presenting criteria for victim- sensitive mediation.
Abstract
The purpose of victim-offender mediation and dialogue is to involve the victim and offender in an effort to repair the emotional and material harm caused by a crime. Fourteen criteria are presented for victim-sensitive mediation. One of the fundamental criterion is the safety of the victim; i.e., the mediator must do everything possible to ensure that the victim will not be harmed in any way. If the victim feels unsafe, the mediator must immediately act to provide options, terminate mediation, and provide an escort for the victim in leaving the locality of the mediation. Another criterion is victim choice. Choice pertains to participation, support, the schedule for the mediation session, the mediation site, seating, the first speaker, termination of the session, and restitution. A third criterion is the provision of a constructive pre-mediation session with the victim by the mediator. This should involve listening to the victim, providing information and answering questions, and a discussion of the risks/benefits of the mediation as well as assistance to the victim in decision-making. Other criteria presented and explained are careful, extensive in- person victim preparation by the mediator; careful screening of cases; meeting first with the offender; offender choice to participate; offender support; pre-mediation session with the offender; careful, extensive in-person preparation of the offender by the mediator; the use of victim-sensitive language; the use of a humanistic/transformative model of mediation; follow-up after the mediation session; and training for mediators in victim sensitivity.