Victim Offender Mediation (From NICRO Diversionary Options Available in the Western Cape, 1994, P 38-51, L.M. Muntingh and R. Shapiro, eds. -- See NCJ-148753)

• NCJ Number: 148755
• Author(s): L M Muntingh
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders
• Sale Source: National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders
• Publication Type: Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa

Annotation

Victim-Offender Mediation (VOM) is the process of facilitating communication between offender and victim in an effort to work out a mutually agreeable settlement, which may include an apology, monetary compensation, and indirect compensation for losses suffered by the victim.

Abstract

In general, prosecutors and probation officers select cases which are appropriate for mediation; most of these are nonviolent property-related offenses that have a clearly identifiable victim. Local magistrates' courts are the main sources of referrals for VOM programs. Referrals can be made either at the pretrial or presentence stages of the criminal justice process. The VOM process consists of four consecutive phases: intake, screening, and assignment to mediator; preliminary and separate meetings between the mediator and the victim and offender; mediation meeting between victim and offender; and reporting, monitoring, and follow-up. VOM has benefits for the victim, offender, community, and criminal justice system. This author suggests that South Africa, with its rising crime rates and overcrowded prisons, should invest in alternative and creative measures of handling crime and reducing recidivism, including VOM.