Every victim OF CRIME deserves the right to be heard

But right now, victims are unable to have their say or get questions answered. 9 in 10 don’t trust the justice system to be effective.

This needs to change.

Join our call for all victims to have the right to explore Restorative Justice - a proven, powerful way to raise victims’ voices and hold perpetrators to account.

Joan Scourfield and Jacob Dunne, the man who killed Joan’s son James with a single punch in 2011. After they met through Restorative Justice, Jacob turned his life around and now campaigns with Joan for change - a story told in the hit play PUNCH.

restorative justice gives victims a voice

  • It was extremely important to be able to sit in front of the young man who had caused so much upset within my family and explain the impact of his actions. I was finally able to have a voice.

    Rob, who met the man who robbed his son

  • I wouldn’t be the woman I am today, so free, standing in my power, so strong, if I hadn’t had that meeting. Restorative Justice allowed me to face the man who tried to kill me and hold him accountable for his actions.”

    Janika, who met the man who tried to kill her

  • I wanted to understand why they did it… sitting with them, holding them accountable yourself, and getting answers is massive… it did also give me closure as well and made me feel better about the whole thing

    Lisa, who met the two people who robbed her

  • I’d have remained very bitter if we’d never started this process. It gave me some hope that another tragedy might be avoidable.

    Joan, who met the man who killed her son

  • I’m not eaten up with anger the same, and I’ve not got the frustration [now] because he gave me all the answers.

    David, who met the man who killed his son

  • The conference gave us both the opportunity to confront properly what happened. Whilst I am still wary of walking through the park, the conference has given me closure. Restorative Justice has the potential of saving lives.

    Sheldon, who met the man who tried to rob him

WHAT IS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE?

Restorative justice is a safe, facilitated dialogue between a victim of crime and the person that caused them harm. It’s a voluntary process giving victims the opportunity that courts deny them: to explain the impact the crime had on their life, to ask unanswered questions and find a positive way forward. By helping perpetrators take responsibility for their actions, Restorative Justice helps to reduce reoffending by up to a quarter.

✅ JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS

✅ ACCOUNTABility for perpetrators

✅ VALUE FOR SOCIETY

8 in 10 victims who try RESTORATIVE JUSTICE would recommend to others.

BUT ONLY 1 in 20 ARE TOLD ABOUT it.

restorative justice works

  • 85%

    victim satisfaction

  • 27%

    reduction in reoffending

  • £14

    saved for the taxpayer for every £1 spent

SIGN THE PETITION

join our call to give victims a real voice

Restorative Justice enables victims of crime to enter a safe, facilitated dialogue with the person who harmed them.

It’s a chance to ask tough questions, to get answers and hold their perpetrator accountable for their actions.

It’s an optional add-on to traditional punishments like prison, and it delivers life-changing results and 85% victim satisfaction. 8 in 10 victims who take part say they would recommend it. The process reduces reoffending by a quarter and saves the taxpayer millions. But despite an entitlement in the Victims Code, access is low: research shows only 1 in 20 victims are told about the option.

We’re calling on the government to give every victim a right to be told about Restorative Justice and explore if it’s right for them.

Agree? Add your name now.