In this article, the role of psychologists in victim-offender mediation is focused upon. First of all, Aertsen places the context of mediation against the background of penal cases. He then describes the method of mediation and focuses on the relational importance (empathy, communication). After that, he goes to the core of his article: the role of psychologists. He believes their assistance in mediation can be of great importance, since the process rests upon psychological principles. This leads him to the question whether mediation can become a branch of the so-called forensic psychology.

Source: Vanspauwen, K., Robert, L., Aertsen, I., Parmentier, S. (2003), Restorative Justice and Restorative Detention. A selected and annotated bibliography. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid, Onderzoeksgroep Penologie en Victimologie.