Victim empathy and mediation evolved from the Restorative Justice philosophy which fosters understanding and implementation of community justice principles and values. Restorative Justice is equally accountable to communities including victims of crime and to those who commit offenses. Equally important, is to have all voices valued, including those not previously heard.
The victim empathy program works with delinquents and uses a curriculum as well as role-playing and hands on activities to educate youth to empathize with their victims…..which is scheduled, programmed and taught by Partners’ staff.
The course runs for eight weeks and reviews different crimes each week through the eyes of the victim, their families and the judicial system. The eight-hour course, held at the Partners building (1169 Colorado Avenue), is usually mandated by the court system but parents can also refer their children.
Cost of the class is $80.00 per session and a total of five sessions will be held during the year. The age range is between 10 and 17 and if enough students enroll, they will be broken up into age appropriate groups.
Individuals must be enrolled prior to the start of the session and the attendance is mandatory.
Partners facilitates the victim/offender mediations for the local court system. In many cases, mediation has proven to be an effective tool in teaching juvenile offenders the magnitude of the community impact
Basically, the victim and the offender meet face-to-face with the arrangement made by a Partners’ employee present, to conduct the mediation. The meeting will not take place unless it is agreed upon by both parties, prior to the mediation.
Mediation has proved successful in bringing closure to a crime and gives the victim some answers as to why a crime was committed against them.
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