The practice of victim-offender mediation and reconciliation has grown enormously during the past decade. The majority of programs are operated by private organizations working with courts, and the vast majority of cases represent non-violent property-related offences. The most well developed model of victim-offender mediation is the Victim offender reconciliation program model. This essay examines the basic theory of victim-offender mediation and reconciliation in the context of its possible relevance to mediating violent victim offender conflict. While recognizing the need for additional research the author concludes that the process of victim-offender mediation and reconciliation holds a great deal of potential for addressing the emotional needs of some people involved in violent crimes.

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.