restorative justice for victims

How can RJ help victims?

Many victims feel excluded from the criminal justice process. Restorative justice puts people who have been victims of crime in the centre and gives them a voice. Most victims find restorative processes helpful in coming to terms with what they have experienced and moving on in life.

In restorative processes victims are given the opportunity:

  • To tell their story

  • To express their feelings

  • To voice their many questions and fears about the crime

  • To make the perpetrator aware of the consequences of the crime on their lives and, if applicable, the lives of their relatives

  • To express what needs have arisen because of the crime.

What is the RJ process like?

“My fear and nightmares are gone, I can finally live again freely and attend social events, go to the theatre, cinema and concerts, which I hadn’t been able to do anymore.”

Dialogue participant

  • Safe

Restorative justice offers victims a safe and respectful setting to process the crime and the consequences that have followed.

  • Trauma-informed

All processes are based on the principles of trauma-informed practice, such as safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment, with the aim to provide safe services to all participants.

  • Well-prepared

The preparation of those involved depends on the individual situation, the existing needs and the seriousness of the crime. Preparations can take several weeks or months to ensure that everyone involved has been able to get ready with the necessary care and can begin the process without fear.

  • Flexible

Restorative justice aims to offer flexible processes that meet the needs of the individual person and their situation.

  • Voluntary

The processes are voluntary at all times and can be interrupted or adapted as needed or terminated.

  • Which offences are eligible?

Restorative justice can be helpful after any kind of offence, including burglary, robbery, assault, bodily injury, crimes of a sexual nature, murder of a loved one, blackmail etc.

  • Who facilitates these processes?

It is essential that any restorative process is led by a facilitator who has undergone comprehensive training in restorative justice. The facilitators’ role is to support the participants at each stage and to provide a safe, respectful and fair process.

  • Is it helpful to bring personal support?

Often it can be helpful if both parties have support persons with them. It is not uncommon for these to be family members or close friends who are also affected and can thus benefit from the restorative process themselves.

  • How much does it cost to take part in these processes?

The Forum strives to ensure that the restorative processes mentioned below are accessible to the affected parties at all times. These services are provided free of charge.

What RJ processes are available to victims?

  • Victim-offender dialogues
  • Restorative conferences

  • Restorative dialogues

  • Circles

The Swiss RJ Forum offers a variety of restorative justice processes that can be adapted to each situation.

Some of these processes include a face-to-face encounter between the directly related victim and perpetrator. Others might involve indirect dialogues or a wider group of people.

Please see below for specific details on each process.

victim-offender dialogues

Victim-offender dialogues refer to a process between directly related victims and offenders. Please see below for further details including the various ways this process may unfold.

  • Location: Both in and outside of prison.

  • Beneficiaries: Directly related victims and offenders. For example, in the case of an assault, it would involve 1) Person A who assaulted another and 2) Person B was assaulted by Person A.

  • Direct dialogue: There is the option of direct dialogue where the victim and the person who committed the offence meet in person.

  • Indirect dialogue: There is also the possibility to use indirect forms of communication, such as letters, video messages, telephone calls, or messages passed on through the facilitators.

  • Through a representative: If an aggrieved individual prefers not to take part in the restorative process in person, they can also be represented by a person close to them.

Leading up to the dialogue the facilitator meets the RJ participants individually. It usually takes a lot of time and preparation before a victim and an offender meet for a dialogue.

Victim-offender dialogues offer numerous possible benefits to victims.

  • Empowerment: Victims have the opportunity to actively participate in the process and regain a sense of control and empowerment over their own narrative.

  • Self-expression: The dialogue provides a direct and personal communication channel between the victim and the offender, allowing for the expression of emotions, concerns, and questions in a controlled and facilitated setting.

  • Closure: Victims may gain a deeper understanding of the motives behind the offender’s actions, fostering a sense of closure as they hear directly from the person responsible for the harm.

  • Validation: Victims can receive acknowledgment and validation for the harm they have endured, which is a crucial step in the recovery process.

  • Moving forward: Engaging in a dialogue allows victims to express their needs for closure and provides a platform for both parties to discuss ways to move forward positively.

Restorative conferences

Restorative conferences refer to a process that provides a valuable opportunity for a larger circle of people to work through the aftermath of crime.

  • Location: Both in and outside of prison.
  • Beneficiaries: Participants include the directly related victim and offender, as well as their relatives or community members affected by the crime.
  • Direct dialogue: These conferences take place in a face-to-face encounter.

Leading up to the conference the facilitator meets the RJ participants individually.

Careful, personalised preparation is necessary before a possible conference with all participants

Restorative dialogues

Restorative dialogues provide an opportunity to participate in a group process with other victims and perpetrators who are not related to the same incident.

  • Location: In prison.
  • Beneficiaries: Unrelated victims and offenders who have suffered or caused the same or similar kind of harm.
  • Direct dialogue: These dialogues take place in a face-to-face group setting.

  • Sessions: 8 gatherings of 2 hours each.

  • Group size: Maximum 12 participants, including facilitators.

This approach can be useful when it is not possible to enter into a process with the direct offender.

circles

Circle processes can be used to facilitate dialogue between parties in various constellations—whether involving victims, offenders, and their support communities or focusing on a single group to help them process their experiences and emotions.

They can serve as a method for including a broader group of people in direct victim-offender encounters, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Additionally, circle processes can be used to work specifically with groups of victims and/or offenders, providing a structured space for reflection, healing, and mutual understanding.

How to participate in RJ

If you are interested in any of the above restorative justice processes, please contact us at swissrjforum@gmail.com. For more information about our services designed for offenders, please click further below.