Restorative Justice
Victim/Offender Mediation
Appropriate for youth ages 9-17.
Restorative Justice and Victim/Offender mediation provide two different formats for youthful offenders to face and apologize to their victims. During either type of mediation YouthZone serves as an unbiased third party. The goal in either type of mediation is threefold:
1. To hold an offender directly accountable for breaking the law and for the harm done to the victim, family members, and community.
2. To consider the needs of victims, community and offenders.
3. To consider the needs related to the cause of the offense.
Focus Areas
• Repair harm to the victim and/or community.
• Enhance empathy and understanding among participants.
• Allow the victim to have a voice.
• Provide young people creative opportunities for growth, increased self-worth, and reintegration into the community.
• Empower young people to resolve problems and learn how to make better choices.
• Help young people develop empathy toward others.
• Provide restitution for damage done.
"As a parent involved in the restorative justice process, I felt the YouthZone staff was incredibly committed to youth and they had a perfect balance between compassion, encouragement and responsibility for actions. The process helped me see ways I could better assist my son and it helped my son believe in his strengths and ability to improve."
Restorative Justice = 92% Success Rate
