Unit 7

Question 1

Restorative justice (RJ):

Answer 1

1) A different lens through which to view crime and justice.
2) According to this perspective, crime should be viewed as a violation of people and relationships, rather than just breaking the law.
3) The focus should be on making the wrong right, rather than imposing punishment.

Question 2

Objectives of RJ:

Answer 2

1) Supporting victims, giving them a voice, encouraging them to express their needs, enabling them to participate in the resolution process and offering them assistance.

2) Repairing the relationships damaged by the crime, in part by arriving at a consensus on how best to respond to it.

3) Denouncing criminal behaviour as unacceptable and reaffirming community values.

4) Encouraging the taking of responsibility by all concerned parties, particularly by offenders.

5) Identifying restorative, forward-looking outcomes.

6) Reducing recidivism by encouraging change in individual offenders and facilitating their
reintegration into the community.

7)Identifying factors that lead to crime, and informing authorities responsible for crime
reduction strategy.

Question 3

Many victims do not trust the CJS due to:

Answer 3

1) The time it takes to respond to calls.
2) Not wanting to record a case.
3) Insensitive treatment.
4) It being offender centred.
5) Not apprehending the offender.
6) The offender not being prosecuted.

Question 4

Needs of crime victims:

Answer 4

1) Access to justice and fair treatment.
2) Contact with CJS.
3) Safety (want to be safe from perpetrator and their family, and know how to prevent repeat victimisation).
4) Give and receive information.
5) Assistance and services (practical assistance, emotional support, counselling, services, and shelter).
6) To have a voice.
7) Validation and acknowledgement.
8) Restitution and apology.
9) Answers to questions

Question 5

Autonomy:

Answer 5

1) We need to feel that we have control over our own lives or at least important parts.

2) At the time of the incident, someone takes control over another’s life.

3) This sense of being out of control persists as dreams and intense feelings continue to
impose themselves.

4) This loss of control is demoralising and affects one’s sense of safety, identity and wellbeing.

Question 6

Autonomy:

Answer 6

1) We need to feel that we have control over our own lives or at least important parts.
2) At the time of the incident, someone takes control over another’s life.
3) This sense of being out of control persists as dreams and intense feelings continue to
impose themselves.
4) This loss of control is demoralising and affects one’s sense of safety, identity and wellbeing.

Question 7

Order

Answer 7

1) We derive much of our sense of safety from a sense of order.
2) A world in which there is no discernible order feels unsafe and meaningless.
3) This pillar (as well as the previous one) helps to explain why victims of crime often blame themselves for what happened.
4) In the absence of real answers, blaming the self is a way of providing an answer and
achieving a sense of autonomy

Question 8

Relatedness:

Answer 8

1) Healthy relationships are essential for a sense of wholeness.
2) It is through interaction with others that we form and affirm our sense of self-worth.
3) Crime undermines this trust and sense of relatedness.
4) Crime victims become suspicious of others and they begin to feel alienated.
5) The web of relationships thus becomes distorted or even destroyed.

Question 9

Elements of RJ:

Answer 9

1) Crime is a violation of people and relationships.
2) Violations create obligations.
3) The central obligation is to put right the wrong.
4) Fundamentally, crime is about disrespect.
5) Justice is about respect.