Victims’ Experiences With, Expectations and Perceptions of Restorative Justice: A Critical Review of the Literature

Source: (2002) Victim of Crime Research Series. Department of Justice Canada.

While the topic of restorative justice has gained currency in Canada and elsewhere, debate continues as to whether restorative justice programs adequately address victims’ needs. Wemmers and Canuto therefore present a review of literature on victims’ experiences with, expectations, and perceptions of restorative justice. Following an introduction to their review, the authors cover the following topics: victims in general and their perceptions of restorative justice; victims participating in restorative justice programs (including diversion, court-based programs, and post-sentencing programs); and specific types of victims (including victims of violent crimes, domestic violence, and sexual assault). On the basis of their study, Wemmers and Canuto offer their conclusions about victims’ perceptions, expectations, and experiences; and they make recommendations about future research and policy directions.