How can victims participate in diversion or restorative justice programs?

In the context of juvenile justice, restorative justice programs prioritize the active participation of victims to ensure their needs are met and to foster healing. Victims can participate in these programs in several meaningful ways:1

• Victim-Offender Reconciliation: Victims may engage in structured, monitored meetings with the offender, often facilitated by a trained mediator. These sessions allow victims to detail the impact of the crime on their lives, ask direct questions, and gain closure. This process helps "humanize" the justice system and can reduce a victim's fear of revictivization.1
• Restitution: Victims can receive compensation through court-ordered restitution, where offenders pay for the fair market value of losses incurred, such as property damage or medical expenses. This process serves as an acknowledgment of the wrong committed and a statement of responsibility by the offender.1
• Involvement in Diversion: Involving victims in diversion programs helps address the criticism that such systems prioritize the offender's needs over those of the victim. By participating, victims may better understand the reasons behind the crime, which can assist in their psychological adjustment.2

Ultimately, these programs aim to right the wrong, repair sustained damage, and reintegrate the offender into the community while ensuring the victim's rights are given equal weight.13