Handbook on Restorative justice programmes

HANDBOOK ON RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAMMES
Case study
Victim offender mediation
12
After approximately two hours of at times heated and emotional dialogue,
the mediator felt that the offender and victim had heard each other's
story and had learned something important about the impact of the crime
and about each other. They had agreed that the offender, a fourteen
year old, would pay $200 in restitution to cover the cost of damages to
the victim’s home resulting from a break-in. In addition, he would be
required to reimburse the victims for the cost of a VCR he had stolen,
estimated at $150. A payment schedule would be worked out in the
remaining time allowed for the meeting. The offender also made several
apologies to the victim and agreed to complete community service hours
working in a food bank sponsored by the victim's church. The victim, a
middle aged neighbour of the offender, said that she felt less angry and
fearful after learning more about the offender and the details of the crime
and thanked the mediator for allowing the mediation to be held in her
church basement.