WHAT FAIRNESS MEANS TO CRIME VICTIMS: A SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON VICTIM-OFFENDER MEDIATION

While victims are often considered the forgotten party in the criminal justice system, restorative justice has emerged as a new approach that includes victims by making them part of the legal response to crime. Based on interviews with victims who were invited to participate in a victim-offender mediation program, the present study examines victims ’ procedural justice judgements. The theoretical framework for the study is based on the procedural justice theory (Lind & Tyler, 1988; Tyler, 2003). Victims seek more than merely an opportunity to express themselves. It is not enough that victims can make demands; they also want their voices to be heard. This paper closes with a discussion of the implications of the findings. Victims have been referred to as the “forgotten party ” in the criminal justice system (Viano, 1978). Studies have repeatedly shown that victims seek recognition and want to be included in the criminal justice system (Baril, Durand, Cousineau, & Gravel, 1983; Kelly & Erez, 1997; Shapland, Willmore, & Duff, 1985; Wemmers, 1996). Excluded from any formal role in the proceedings other than that of witness, victims are often left feeling frustrated with the criminal justice system and do not sense that justice has been done. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jo-Ann