21 November 2024

New investment in Restorative Justice empowering victims of crime

New investment to empower victims of crime and reduce reoffending has been announced by the Mayor of West Yorkshire.

Restorative Justice brings those harmed by crime and those responsible into contact with each other, giving victims an opportunity to be heard, ask questions of offenders and have a say in the resolution.

Restorative Solutions CIC has been recommissioned by the Mayor to continue providing the region-wide programme over the next three years with funding totalling £893,292.

The West Yorkshire wide service, which has supported 5,767 people over the past three-and-a-half years, is delivered through the skilled facilitation of trained and experienced individuals including volunteers.

Working with User Voice the Mayor ensured Peer Commissioners supported the recommissioning of the service and their lived experience of prison, probation and being victims of crime enabled a successful contract award.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, said:

“Through this investment I’m continuing to put victims first in our work to create a safer, fairer region.

“We know that Restorative Justice can be extremely beneficial in helping people to cope with and recover from the harm they’ve suffered following a crime.

“The service also provides an opportunity for offenders to face up to the consequences of their actions, take responsibility and commit to changing their behaviours for the better.”

Kate Brooksbank, West Yorkshire Service Delivery Manager for Restorative Solutions CIC, added:

"We are delighted to have been recommissioned by Mayor Tracy Brabin to deliver the Restorative Justice service in West Yorkshire.

"This process allows victims the opportunity to communicate with those responsible in a way that's right for them.

"Having delivered the service since 2018, we know the true impact that RJ can have on both victims and offenders and we look forward to raising more awareness so those affected by crime can access the service when its right for them."

The recommissioned service was launched at an event in Leeds on Wednesday (20 November), giving attendees a chance to reflect on the programme’s successes to date, including the work of its volunteers and vital contributions from a range of partners.

The event featured the first showing of a new video highlighting the role of Restorative Justice, its benefits and the partnership support available to West Yorkshire by depicting an intervention between a victim and offender following an anti-social behaviour incident.

Contact with offenders and victims through the programme can take place face-to-face or through an indirect process and will only occur when both parties agree, following careful preparation and completion of a risk assessment, facilitated by a trained and experienced Restorative Justice practitioner.

Tara was referred to the Restorative Justice service in West Yorkshire after her brother Thomas was killed three years earlier by Oliver, a speeding driver, who was jailed for causing death by dangerous driving. Following discussions by RJ practitioners and partners a meeting was arranged between the two, where Tara was able to ask questions important to her and Oliver had a chance to apologise to her for Thomas' death.

If you have been a victim of a crime in West Yorkshire, to find about more about Restorative Justice visit http://www.rjwestyorkshire.org.uk call 0800 783 1550 or email rjwestyorkshire@restorativesolutions.org.uk