Victimology Final Exam - 12 Flashcards
What is restorative justice?
Restorative justice is a transformative approach to justice that seeks to repair the harm caused by criminal behavior by addressing the needs of the victim, the offender, and the community. It emphasizes healing and reconciliation over punishment.
How does restorative justice hold offenders accountable?
Restorative justice holds offenders accountable by encouraging them to take responsibility for the harm they have caused. Offenders acknowledge the impact of their behavior on the victim and the community, promoting personal responsibility and moral growth.
What role does healing play in restorative justice?
Healing is central to restorative justice. It provides victims opportunities to express their feelings and needs, facilitating catharsis and empowerment. Offenders gain insight into the consequences of their actions, promoting remorse and personal transformation.
Why is community involvement important in restorative justice?
Community involvement is crucial as crime affects not only the victim and offender but also the broader community. Engaging community members fosters collective responsibility, strengthens social bonds, and promotes long-term community well-being.
How does restorative justice focus on repairing harm?
Restorative justice prioritizes repairing harm through restitution, community service, apologies, and other forms of making amends. It aims to address the underlying causes of harm, restore relationships, and break cycles of conflict.
How does restorative justice differ from retributive justice?
Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and rehabilitation, addressing the needs of victims and community. Retributive justice emphasizes punishment proportional to the offense, aiming to deter and exact retribution.
Who are the key participants in the restorative justice process?
Key participants include the victim, the offender, the community, and the mediator/facilitator. The community plays a dual role as both a symbolic entity to be repaired and an affected party, while mediators facilitate dialogue and resolution.
What methods are used in restorative justice?
Methods include financial compensation, public benefit activities, formal apologies, victim-offender mediation, community conferencing, and programs that reduce victim anxiety and stress, often independent of judicial authority.
How does restorative justice empower victims?
Restorative justice empowers victims by giving them an active role in the process, allowing them to express their feelings, ask questions, receive apologies, and participate in decision-making, leading to psychological healing and closure.
How does restorative justice promote offender rehabilitation?
Restorative justice promotes rehabilitation by facilitating offender responsibility and amends-making. Through dialogue, offenders gain empathy, remorse, and personal growth, addressing underlying issues and reducing recidivism.
What are some limitations of restorative justice?
Limitations include its unsuitability for severe or violent crimes, limited institutional capacity and resources, and legal framework constraints that may conflict with restorative practices.
What are some equity concerns in restorative justice?
Equity concerns involve disparities in access to programs for marginalized communities, cultural insensitivity, and the potential reinforcement of power imbalances, which may marginalize certain individuals within the process.
Why might restorative justice face resistance?
Resistance can arise due to the cultural shift it represents from punitive justice, professional skepticism about its effectiveness, and competition for resources within traditional justice systems.
How does restorative justice provide opportunities for closure and healing for victims?
Restorative justice allows victims to confront offenders, express their experiences, and participate in decision-making, leading to validation, empowerment, and psychological healing.
