Commissioner commends Restorative Justice as great tool

Justice can mean different things to different people, and it’s important to focus on all the ways that justice for victims can be delivered. This week, 15-21 November marks Restorative Justice (RJ) week, which can help victims of crime gain an element of closure.

Restorative justice offers the victim and offender a communication channel through which the victim can gain closure and the offender can truly understand why their actions were wrong. This approach that focus on reconciliation is designed to help prevent reoffending, in addition to delivering justice for the crime that happened.

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Restorative justice is a great tool as its all about getting people talking. It enables victims and their families to ask questions and share their thoughts and feelings with offenders directly.

“The process also gives the offender a chance to share their remorse, apologise, and offer explanations for their actions. Bringing closure this way can be really powerful.”

In his Police and Crime Plan the Commissioner outlines his key priority of delivering justice for victims of crime. Remedi is a charity commissioned to deliver restorative justice in Cheshire, and supports victims through its mediation hub. The Hub has improved the consistency and quality of restorative justice in Cheshire and as such seen an increase in the amount of victims using the service.

Remedi has also been nationally recognised and awarded accreditation by the Restorative Justice Council.

John Dwyer added: “I took part in a RJ event with Remedi, and hearing the positive effects that restorative justice has on victims and offenders demonstrates the power of communication, and the importance of tailoring support depending on what the victim feels they need.

“Services like this are hugely important, and their success enables me to continue to provide funding for tried and tested methods that deliver justice for victims.”

For more information about Remedi and RJ visit:

www.remediuk.org

Pictured - John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire.