Released 15/09/2017 - Joint media release
ACT Policing has made its 1000th referral to the ACT Restorative Justice Unit since the scheme began in 2005.
- Restorative justice is a way of responding to wrongdoing or conflict which seeks to repair the harms suffered by actively involving the affected parties (victim and offender) in respectful dialogue and decision making.
- Of the 1,000 matters referred by ACT Policing, there have been 728 restorative justice conferences held. The voluntary nature of the RJ scheme and suitability assessment of participants means that not all referrals result in a conference.
- Each referral may include multiple offences. Of the 1,000 matters, some 2,114 offences were considered for restorative justice processes.
- Referrals to date included 1,414 victims, 1,329 young offenders and 69 adult offenders.
Restorative justice offers the people affected by an offence the opportunity to participate in their own justice process. It brings together victims, offenders who are taking responsibility and their respective personal supporters in a carefully managed, safe environment. It is a voluntary, fair, inclusive and respectful process, designed to enhance the rights of victims of offences by empowering them to make decisions about how to repair the harm.
Restorative justice also assists victims of crime, offenders and their families to recognise and respond to the personal harms associated with offences and to find ways to repair that harm.
Research and evaluation shows that restorative justice succeeds in lowering the symptoms of trauma, revenge ideation and anger in victims and leads to moderate reductions in recidivism, with best results for violence offences and adult offenders.
Comments attributable to Minister for Justice Shane Rattenbury:
“Restorative justice gives victims the opportunity to have a say about what happened to them, to get answers to their questions and for their losses to be acknowledged. Offenders are also given an opportunity to take responsibility, explain their actions, listen to the broader impact of their actions on others, and to actively contribute to making amends.
“I know many victims of crime say they sleep better at night after having participated in a restorative justice conference and research shows for adult offenders it can be life-changing, helping to stop them from further offending.”
Comments attributable to Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman:
“It is a significant achievement to reach 1,000 referrals to restorative justice for both ACT Policing and the Restorative Justice Unit. ACT Policing is focused on reducing crime and building a safer community, and restorative justice is helping to achieve those goals.
“This strong relationship has supported, and will continue to support, positive outcomes for victims of crime, particularly as the Restorative Justice Scheme develops further to include offences of family, domestic and sexual violence from 2018.”
- Statement ends -
Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases
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