Source: In Press [?]: Kury, H., and Obergfell-Fuchs, J., eds. Crime Prevention — New Approaches. Downloaded 29 April 2004.
Problems in the criminal justice system’s response to date and acquaintance rape, and the nonpenetration sexual offenses are identified: (1) these crimes are often markers of a career of sexual offense, yet they are widely viewed as minor; (2) perpetrators of these crimes are now held accountable in ways that reduce their future threat of sex offending; and (3) current criminal justice response to these crimes disappoints and traumatizes victims and families. In response to these identified problems, we are implementing and evaluating RESTORE, an innovative, victim-driven, community-based restorative justice program. Restorative justice views crime as harm for which the person responsible must be held accountable in meaningul ways. RESTORE uses a community conference to involve the victim, offender, and both parties’ family and friends in a face-to-face dialogue directed at identifying the harm and developing a plan for repair, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community.
Your donation helps Prison Fellowship International repair the harm caused by crime by emphasizing accountability, forgiveness, and making amends for prisoners and those affected by their actions. When victims, offenders, and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results are transformational.
Donate Now