Victim Understanding of Fairness: Burglary Victims in Victim Offender Mediation

• NCJ Number: 112537
• Author(s): M S Umbreit
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 66 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Minnesota
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study is an exploratory effort to better understand the meaning of fairness to crime victims who had been referred to a victim-offender mediation program.

Abstract

Fifty burglary victims in the Minneapolis area were interviewed for the study; 62 percent participated in a mediation session with their offender. In addition to determining the meaning of fairness to the victim in the context of the mediation, the study sought to ascertain if victim perceptions of fairness were related to victim personal characteristics and the extent to which victims were satisfied with the mediation process. The most frequent fairness concern expressed by the victims was related to the need for services to rehabilitate the offender. Compensation of the victim for losses sustained in the crime was the second most frequent concern about fairness, and punishment of the offender was the third concern. Participation by victims in the justice process was a major element in perceptions of fairness across all victim categories. A six-category typology of victim perspectives of fairness was constructed. Several perspectives of fairness were related to victim personal characteristics. Participants in mediation indicated a high level of satisfaction with it. 26 tables, 60 references. (Author abstract modified)