If you are a victim of a serious crime, or an organisation involved with victim trauma recovery, this program could provide the healing, closure and therapeutic intervention that is often needed after a serious loss.
What is victim-offender mediation?
People often think it’s just a face-to-face dialogue between victim and offender. But, it’s so much more than that. The Victim Offender Mediation Program (VOMP), is for those involved or affected by traumatic criminal offences. At a post-incarceration stage, the ‘mediator’ does not intervene, but instead supports and facilitates a therapeutic dialogue between the two parties. They empower both victim and offender to address the issues, consequences and concerns surrounding a crime. They also address any questions and concerns regarding the offender’s eventual release into the community.
Source Video: The Government of Canada
How Does it Help?
Informed by current theory and clinical practice regarding offender treatment and victim trauma recovery, our approach promotes accountability, healing and closure. We provide all parties with a process that can lead to new insight, thereby reducing levels of anxiety, and contributing to therapeutic gains. With the help of sensitive staff who are committed to being agents of healing and restoration, there can be a better chance of resolution, recovery and rehabilitation.
In fact, since the 1990’s, when the Victim Offender Mediation Program (VOMP) was established, both victim and offender participants have consistently reported positive gains in their recovery. When Victim Offender Mediation Program (VOMP) was evaluated in a 1995 report for the Solicitor General of Canada, researcher Tim Roberts reported that in his 30-year experience, this program had one of the most positive evaluations:
“There was unanimous support for the program from all victim and offender respondents interviewed in this study… Respondents found considerable specific and overall value in the program, felt it was ethically and professionally run, and would not hesitate to recommend it to others, [which is] remarkable, considering that the Victim Offender Mediation Program (VOMP) involves parties who are initially polarized, and who could be expected to hold divergent views about the value of the program.” (Roberts, 1995) CTA: Looking to know more about our Victim Offender Mediation Program? Feel free to email us or fill out a contact form [link to contact form] and we would be happy to help you with any inquiries you may have.
Looking to know more about our Victim Offender Mediation Program?
Feel free to email us or fill out a contact form and we would be happy to help you with any inquiries you may have.