Colorado High Impact VOD Programs Get a Boost
In 2011, Colorado state law created new opportunities for victims of crime in the form of High Impact Victim Offender Dialogues.
Restorative Justice In Victims Services
Restorative Justice Practices give crime victims the opportunity to express the full impact of the crime on themselves and their families, ask and get answers to any lingering questions about what occurred and to participate in holding the offender accountable for his or her actions. In fact, >95% of crime victims are satisfied with restorative processes and report that it allows them to be more a part of the justice process and provides them with a voice that they might not have had going through the more traditional criminal justice system. Many crime victims report a sense of relief and peace from participating in restorative justice.
Even in cases and conflicts where there is mutual responsibility or no clear victim but harm was done, such as conflict between groups of school children or substance use, restorative justice practices may be useful. When the involved parties recognize they are responsible for harm and it needs to be addressed and repaired, restorative practices can serve the people harmed and give them a path toward healing.
In Colorado, the RJ Council supports and encourages all RJ Practitioners to practice being victim-centered in their work. This means holding the care and concern for the victim as the primary consideration. Whether the case is a Victim’s Rights Act (VRA) level crime or not all victims deserve to be contacted, informed and invited to participate in the restorative process.
Greg Vaughn wanted the thiefs to pay for their crime and found satisfaction through Restorative Justice.
After her daughter was brutally murdered in 2003, Wendy Cohen turned to Restorative Justice for answers and peace.
Restorative Justice In Victims Services Works
This case was handled in a great manner. I have learned from my mistake and I know for sure that it won’t happen again. The facilitating people have influenced me to achieve my goals as well as my family did. thank you for the help restorative justice has made an impact on me and my decisions
Extremely productive (much more than punishment).
I really liked sharing everything with the two of them today. I felt like they could both relate to what I went through as I could relate to them.
I was really impressed with the program and I think this is great. They really help the kids with their issues.
Muy satisfactorio, realmente es un buen sistema para areglar los problemas
Although I was nervous, I am glad we did this. I have more respect for (Offender) now that we've had the chance to actually talk to him. I hope this works for other kids!
I think the restorative justice process is a good program for kids that have done something wrong. It teaches them to be a better kid.
It was very informative and I was glad to see the people and community that were involved and have taken the time to help our teens and parents in need out. Big thank you.
This was a great program for the youth of our country.
They handled everything very well and hope to see this program used more for all kids under 18 who can benefit from this rather than being put through the justice system or other consequences.
I really like how all this was calmly discussed and how we all had a say in what we were discussing. And that I got to see everything from multiple points of view.
Appreciated getting to tell him how I felt and knowing he "heard" me. Getting to see him move from "hurdened" to a young boy who actually was allowed to feel sorry for what he did.
“Presenting my view and the impact on the company was empowering. I am happy to see the community has a program like this.”