NCJ Number
191727
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: Autumn 2001 Pages: 291-300
Date Published
2001
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article presents an overview of the background to restorative justice and victim-offender mediation in Europe.
Abstract
The European Forum for Victim-Offender Mediation and Restorative Justice was set up in 2000. This nongovernmental organization was set up because European victim-mediation projects, although a steadily growing practice with more than 800 projects all over Europe, had seldom established contacts beyond national borders. The general aim of the Forum is to help establish and develop victim-offender mediation and other restorative justice practices throughout Europe. To further the general aim, the Forum wants to promote the international exchange of information and mutual help; promote the development of effective restorative justice policies, services and legislation; explore and develop the theoretical basis of restorative justice; stimulate research; and assist the development of principles, ethics, training and good practice. The main focus of the Forum is mediation in criminal matters and related restorative developments, such as family group conferencing. Links should be made with other fields of mediation, including family mediation, school mediation, and community mediation. The Forum is concerned with both juveniles and adults, seen from the offender side. The target group of the Forum consists of mediators and mediation services, policy makers, researchers, and criminal justice practitioners all over Europe. The Forum considers other European and international organizations working in the field of victim assistance, offender care, and restorative justice as important partners in realizing its objectives. One of the tasks of the Forum is to follow-up and to stimulate policymaking in the field of restorative justice. 1 Reference