CJI’s Restorative Responses to Harm & Crime (RRHC) engages youth and adults in dialogue services and coaching support for people impacted by the criminal justice system: those who have caused harm, those who have been harmed, and the broader community.
Anyone affected by harm or crime can inquire about participating in an RRHC dialogue. Criminal legal system officials (Victim Services, the Crown Attorney’s office, police, a lawyer or Duty Counsel, or probation officer) can also make referrals.
Services are voluntary and at no cost.
CJI’s Restorative Responses to Harm & Crime (RRHC) process is typically used after someone has been charged and before their matter is resolved in court; however, it can be used instead of criminal charges or after the court process is over.
With the help of trained facilitators, people affected by harm or crime can address the offence through a flexible dialogue process that is responsive to individual needs.
RRHC Dialogues are an opportunity for those who have been harmed to express their needs and to have a say in how the person who caused them harm can demonstrate accountability.
To participate in a dialogue, an accused individual must meet with facilitators to discuss the harm caused and be ready to accept responsibility for the actions that led to a charge. They are also asked to communicate with the person(s) impacted regarding the incident, its impacts, and how they might make amends.
Addressing harm may include: coaching support, apologizing, paying restitution, or dealing with underlying causes of harmful behaviour. Full participation on the part of an accused person may have a positive impact on the outcome of the matter in court.
Mediation works best if all people involved in a situation participate. Offenders are crucial to the process in that they can answer victims’ questions and can talk with the victim about ways to repair the emotional and material harm (to the degree that it is possible). The process can also be beneficial to the offender as s/he is able to take direct and personal accountability for their actions, as well as learn directly from the victim about the consequences of their actions.
CJI’s mediators are trained and supervised volunteers who have completed the Transformative Mediation Training through Conrad Grebel University College. Mediators work in pairs, co-facilitating with each other. This allows for a matching of skills and experience. The mediators support each other and the participants through the process
Meeting rooms at CJI’s offices serve well as a neutral location for mediations. Where appropriate, we also host mediations in other neutral spaces such as a community centres. Many of our Elder Mediations occur where older adults are residing – their homes, retirement homes, long term care facilities, etc.
Mediation is a conflict resolution process used to help individuals, families, neighbours, coworkers and classmates to resolve conflict. During a mediation, trained facilitators ensure that everyone has a chance to speak and to listen. Participants discuss how a situation impacted them and ask questions. All are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions, listen to others’ perspectives and to repair harm. At the end of the mediation, participants leave with a mutually acceptable plan to move forward.
Forgiveness is not essential to a mediation. In a victim-offender mediation, the full benefit of victim’s needs being met and offender accountability can occur completely without forgiveness.
Most of our mediation services are free. However, we have a sliding fee scale for our workplace mediations and training.
Protecting participants’ safety is our first concern. Our service carefully screens cases for safety before they meet face-to-face. Our mediators also use strategies and specific techniques to ensure that participants are safe. After all options have been exhausted, the face-to-face meeting does not happen if the participants do not feel safe.
Mediation is a voluntary process that requires the engagement of all parties involved to be successful. When an inquiry is made, a CJI Service Coordinator will contact all parties to confirm their desire to participate. If there is consensus to proceed with mediation, two mediators are assigned to the case. Mediators have an initial confidential one-on-one meeting with each participant, called case development. During case developments, mediators explore the relationship and the causes of conflict from each participant’s perspective. After case developments are concluded, the mediator will arrange a face-to-face mediation with all participants.
Volunteer as an RRHC co-mediator
CJI creatively, and innovatively applies restorative justice principles to challenging community problems.
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