Restorative Justice and Rape Victims

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the concept of restorative justice with regards to rape victims. It gives a definition of restorative justice according to different groups and describes how this form of justice is meant to assist the victim. The paper discusses restorative justice in relation to past cases of rapes and how the victims and families dealt with the crime.

From the Paper:

"Because Lucy's bones were part of the evidence, the family could not receive them until the case was ended, but Marian did see her sister's bones; "I gasped at the sight of her skull - it was so beautiful, like burnished gold..." Meanwhile in order to bring closure, Marian was advised by her Buddhist counselor about restorative justice, and she became involved in mediation for other rape victims. Marian told a group of incarcerated rapists that her sister had been gagged before being killed, and so she, Marian, wished to hear their truths. "One of the prisoners who had committed multiple rape said, '...Until you spoke I was just play at victim empathy,' and it clearly helped him to understand what he'd done." And moreover, Marian is planning to write a letter to one of the two persons (now in prison) responsible for the mass murders (and Lucy's murder). "Those who know her [the convicted co-murderer] have advised me that it is not yet time to suggest..." a meeting between the two. "Meanwhile, I am content to continue sending her compassion," Marian concluded."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cavanagh, Tom. "Restorative Justice: Healing the Effects of Crime." (2006): Retrieved 22 Nov. 2006 from http://www.restorativejustice.com.
• Madsen, Karin Sten. "Mediation as a way of empowering women exposed to sexual coercion." Centre for Victims of Sexual Assault. (2004): Retrieved 23 Nov. 2006 from http://www.n-f-m.org/artikkel.asp?language=2&art=90.
• Partington, Marian. "The Agony and the Empathy - Restorative Justice." Urban Dharma.org. Retrieved 23 Nov. 2006 from http://www.urbandharma.org/urharma8/agony.html (2001).
• Umbreit, M.S., & Coates, R. B. "Restorative Justice Dialogue: Evidence-Based Practice." Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking. University of Minnesota. (2006): Retrieved 23 Nov. 2006 from http://www.rjp.umn.edu.

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