Victim Offender Dialogue – A Restorative Justice Option

November 2025

Whether through personal experience or television dramas, most people are familiar with criminal justice.  This court centered process focuses on determining guilt and assigning punishment for crimes. Its main goals are deterrence, retribution, and maintaining  a safe and orderly community. The process centers on the offender and the state but victims often play a minor role.

Restorative justice, by contrast, emphasizes repairing harm caused by crime. It brings together victims, offenders, and the community, in a safe and structured setting, to promote accountability, healing, and reconciliation. The focus is less on punishment and more on making things right and restoring relationships.

The Crime Victim Services Victim Offender Dialogue Program offers a restorative justice option to the community. It allows victims to explain the impact of a crime and get answers to their questions. Offenders have a chance to take responsibility for their actions and to do what they can to make things right.  Trained facilitators work with all parties so that the conversation can be safe, positive, and helpful.

Learn more about the program at: www.crimevictimservices.org/vod.

When harm has been done, consider requesting Victim Offender Dialogue as part of the healing and recovery process. It has been shown to have a positive impact on victims, increase satisfaction with the criminal justice system, and reduce the chances of further offenses.

vod@crimevictimservices.org

419-222-8666