Benefits
There is now a considerable volume of work internationally evaluating restorative justice programmes. These evaluations have shown a variety of benefits to both people harmed and those who have harmed (as well as for the general public and governments).
Benefits include:
Benefits for people who have been harmed
- Improved health and wellbeing
- Being better able to cope with aspects of life
- Increased feeling of safety and empowerment
- A higher satisfaction rate than those who have taken part in a more formal justice process
- Fewer symptoms of post-traumatic stress
- Less fear of victimisation
Benefits for those who have caused harm
- More positive attitudes towards police, law and justice
- Reduced likelihood of further offending
Benefits for the wider community
- Restorative justice results in a highly cost effective reduction in repeat offending
- Communities can become active members in attempting to address harm