Restorative justice for victims of crime on the Victims Register

About the restorative justice process

We facilitate restorative justice processes for victims of crime on the Victims Register whose adult offender is serving a sentence of imprisonment or a parole order.

We work with registered victims to identify:

• what they would like to talk about
• how they’d like to talk about it
• who the right people are to have in this conversation.

Participants might include:

• the person responsible for the harm who is serving a sentence
• family members
• trusted friends or other loved ones
• professional supports such as social workers or psychologists
• representatives from an organisation or institution.

You can access the program:

• if you are on the Victims Register,
• there is enough time before your offender’s sentence ends (at least six months is needed to prepare safely), and
• everyone involved is over 18 years of age and can understand and consent to the Program.

For your safety and benefit, your involvement in victim-centred restorative justice must be separate from other legal processes. If you are in the middle of legal matters (e.g. family law, child protection, court processes), we’ll need to put the process on hold until the legal matters are resolved. This is to ensure you can get the most out of the restorative process when it happens.

Benefits of a restorative process

A restorative process gives you a chance to tell your story to the people you want to in a way that is meaningful to you. This can be helpful if you have felt disempowered, unheard or overlooked during your family violence or legal journey.

Victim-centred restorative justice can help you address your justice needs, including:

• Voice – to talk about the impact of the harm in your own way.
• Validation – to have your experience recognised in a meaningful way.
• Information – to have questions answered.
• Accountability – so the person responsible knows how their actions affected you and takes responsibility for them.
• Relationships – to address outstanding issues, restore relationships or cease them.
• Prevention – to know you’ve done something to try and stop it happening again.
• Resolution – just needing to do this.

Some restorative processes may also result in actions and outcomes that help you move forward.

Victim safety

Safety is our primary focus. We’re committed to doing no further harm. Our practitioners work closely with everyone individually to prepare them for the restorative process. This includes:

• identifying risks
• managing safety
• helping everyone understand what to expect
• planning how to get ready.

We work closely with Corrections Victoria in making contact with the offender to make sure it’s safe to include them. We look for the person responsible to show they have taken responsibility for the harm they’ve caused before we include them. If your preference is to see them in prison, we’ll work with you and the facility to see that it’s possible, and to help you feel safe and ready to visit. If it doesn’t look safe to include the offender, or is unlikely to meet your goals, we will discuss this with you and consider your options. You might have other options to achieve your goals.

Our work is underpinned by key principles and a range of measures to make it safe and effective for participants.

The Victim-Centred Restorative Justice Program is Rainbow Tick accredited. It is a safe, inclusive and affirming service for the LGBTIQ community.

Participating in a restorative process

Our staff meet with each participant to thoroughly prepare them to engage in a restorative process. Everyone is provided with a clear explanation of what will take place leading up to, during, and after the completion of the restorative process.

All our staff are experienced and trained in working with trauma, family violence and restorative practice.

Someone will work with you throughout your time with us to:

• understand your story
• identify your goals and needs
• help you get ready for the restorative process
• convene the restorative process so it is safe and can meet your needs
• support you during the restorative process
• check in with you afterwards
• help you with any follow up.

Participation is voluntary

Your participation in a restorative process is voluntary. You can choose to stop or pause your involvement at any time.

If you would like a particular person to be involved in your restorative process and that person says no, we will talk with you about this and see if there are other people to include or ways your needs can be met.

Cost

This is a free service.

Duration

Preparing for a restorative process can take weeks or months, depending on the goals of the victim and readiness of all participants.

A restorative group conference will take approximately two hours. An indirect restorative process, like writing a letter, may take more or less time, depending on the method of restorative engagement.

After the restorative process

Shortly after a restorative process, our practitioners will spend time with you reflecting on what was said and how you are feeling. In the weeks after, our practitioners will check in with you to see how you are going and find out if you have any questions or things that are unresolved.

If the restorative process includes outcomes or action plans, we will check in with the person(s) responsible for these tasks to make sure they are being completed.

The time it takes for you and others to be ready for a restorative process, facilitate the process, and provide follow-up afterwards will vary depending on your needs and circumstances. There is no time limit to how long we can work with you.​​​​​

Participating in victim-centred restorative justice while registered on the Victims Register

Our service operates separately from the Victims Register. However, the Victims Register can give you information about the program at the right time and help refer you to us. You will otherwise stay on the Victims Register and hear from their team as you would expect to.

When the Victims Register refers you to us, our practitioners work closely with you to:

• answer any questions about restorative justice
• discuss your restorative justice needs
• prepare everyone involved
• convene the process.

A restorative process does not replace or affect any victim submissions the Victims Register may be helping you with. Our service is completely separate and sits outside of those matters.

Visit the Victorian Victims Register page (External link) for more information.

To apply to go on the Victims Register, visit the Victims of Crime website (External link).

Using other services while engaged with us

The option to engage in a restorative process with us is one of a suite of service options available to you. You can work with us at the same time as engaging with any other support services and/or therapeutic interventions. In some cases, it might be useful to sequence these services to get the most out of them and make sure you feel ready for restorative justice.

Contact us (External link)