RT Article
T1 Restoring victims’ confidence: Victim-centred restorative practices
JF International review of victimology
VO 29
IS 3
SP 466
OP 486
A1 Wemmers, Jo-Anne M. 1964-
A2 Parent, Isabelle
A2 Lachance Quirion, Marika
LA English
YR 2023
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/185762792X
AB Victimization, and in particular sexual violence, undermines victims’ confidence and self-esteem. Victims often feel guilty and blame themselves for what happened. Fearing negative reactions, victims of sexual violence are often reluctant to report the crime to police. When victims do report to the police, the criminal justice process is often difficult and most sexual violence cases do not end in a conviction. Restorative practices (hereafter RP) have been presented both as a possible alternative and a complement to the criminal justice process, which could improve victims’ experiences. However, there is also considerable resistance to the use of RP in cases of gender-based violence. Using a victim-centred lens, in which it is seen as a reaction to victimization that aims to address the needs of the victim and allow them to advance in their healing process, we examine RP. Based on semi-structured interviews with 18 victims of sexual violence in Canada who participated in RP, we explore the healing potential for victims. We conclude that for victims of sexual violence, victim-centred RP should be viewed as a tool for victim support and not only as another tool in the criminal justice toolkit.
K1 Self-esteem
K1 Healing
K1 Reparation
K1 Restorative practices
K1 Victims of sexual violence
DO 10.1177/02697580221128830