Restorative justice and victims of crime

The chapter examines restorative justice literature and research in order to assess whether the victim is indeed central in the restorative justice discourse. Looking at the origins of both restorative justice and the victimological movement, similarities can be discerned, but generally restorative justice did spring from offender-oriented movement such as communitarianism, and diversionary approaches. The relation between restorative justice and criminal justice (the latter being offender-oriented), the implementation of restorative justice within offender-oriented organizations and offender-oriented research have casted doubt on the victim centrality. Restorative justice evaluations generally show that victims are satisfied with their participation in restorative justice, voicing various reasons why they decided to participate. The flexibility of the process so it can be adapted to their needs and expectations was evaluated as important. Restoration may entail a sense of regaining control and being recognized as a victim. The complementary role between restorative justice and criminal justice can be important, with criminal justice offering a formal response and restorative justice an opportunity to voice concerns and questions. In conferencing, victims might not always feel really involved and the position of non-participating victims is a point of attention.status: publishe