Understanding Victims and Restorative Justice

Introduction

1 Victims, Victimization and Victimology
2 Victim focused policy-making: ‘the welfare approach’
3 Victims and the criminal justice system
4 Restorative justice and what it might mean for victims
5 Evaluating restorative justice from a victim perspective: empirical evidence
6 Assessing restorative justice: the broader picture

"...the real strength of this book lies in the critical thinking that arises from the juxtaposition of two very much unfinished debates: the question of how victims are treated by the justice system, and the practices and implications of restorative justice.
"...I feel this book is particularly important because it reframes a whole series of debates and practices which, otherwise, might be in danger of getting 'stuck'. That this is also undertaken by someone who is extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter and perceptive in relation to key issues is an added bonus."
Vista

Two of the principal and most influential developments within criminal justice policy - taking in a variety of common law jurisdictions during the past thirty years - have been the rise of the ‘victim movement’ and the emergence of a distinctive set of practices that have become associated with the term ‘restorative justice’. Understanding Victims and Restorative Justice examines the origins of and the relationship between these two sets of developments, and seeks to assess their strengths and weaknesses in meeting the needs of victims as part of the overall response to crime.

Written in a lively and accessible style this book is of benefit to students from a range of disciplines including criminology, sociology and the law. Also helpful to professionals, practitioners and policymakers working in voluntary agencies within the criminal justice system.