Chapter 2: The People at the Center
Estimated time: 15 to 20 minutes
Video to watch: What Is Restorative Justice? Giving Victims a Voice (YouTube)
Learning Goals
Understand the varied perspectives and needs victims may carry into a restorative process.
Learn practical ways to uphold the harmed party’s presence and voice in dialogue, whether or not they attend.
Recognize ripple-effects of harm in relationships and community.
Core Idea
People who are harmed often carry emotional, relational, and practical harm beyond what is obvious. Even when they are not in the room, panels must keep their perspective central. This lesson helps you practice doing that.
What Victims Often Need
Safety and assurance that participation will not cause further harm
Validation and acknowledgment that their experience matters
Clear information about what happened and what process will follow
Freedom to choose how and whether to participate
A chance to speak in their own way
Restitution or meaningful repair tied to the actual harm
Example in Practice
Suppose someone’s bicycle is stolen. The harmed person may not attend the panel. Volunteers can ask: “If you were them, what would you want to be restored beyond the cost?” Maybe it’s having trust reestablished, or feeling safe in their neighborhood. The agreement could include both the replacement value and a community repair gesture (e.g. a safe-use workshop).
Volunteer Tools for Centering Victim Needs
Ask responsible person: “How do you believe this affected the person harmed?”
When someone expresses understanding, affirm it (“That shows awareness of impact.”)
Raise ripple effects: “Who else do you think was affected?”
Check: “Does this potential repair address a need we’ve named for the harmed party?”
Micro-Scripts You Can Try
“What do you imagine has been hardest for the person who was harmed?”
“If you were in their situation, what kind of repair would feel meaningful?”
“How might this agreement help restore a sense of safety or trust for them?”