Handbook on Restorative justice programmes

6.7 Programme support services
To the extent that a restorative justice programme is directly concerned
with attempting to create a community of care, offering support and assis-
tance to the victims, or assisting the offender in his rehabilitation and
social reintegration, there will be a need for the programme to rely on
other support services and community resources. When these services
exist, it may simply be a matter of creating the right partnerships or devel-
oping the appropriate inter-agency agreements and services exchange
protocols. In many other situations and communities where adequate
services do not exist or are not accessible to the offenders or the victims, 
it may become essential to develop them in tandem with the restorative
justice programme. 
6.8 Community relations and relations 
with the media
Keeping the community informed of the progress and operation of a
restorative justice programme is usually a precondition to its success. A
community may still harbour some misgivings about the impact and the
legitimacy of a programme and that must be taken into account in all pub-
lic communications. Addressing the concerns expressed by members of
HANDBOOK ON RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAMMES

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the community as they emerge and inviting them, whenever possible, to