How our work changes us: Reflecting on a career as a defense victims outreach specialist and the application of restorative justice

Mediators, ombuds, and other peace workers generally see their work as a calling. They pursue this work because of a desire to help others while promoting healing and reconciliation. While their work helps clients, it frequently results in deeply personal transformations, changing the ways in which they relate to and communicate with their family, colleagues, and community members. After hearing anecdotal reports of these transformations, I designed this study to learn more about how the work of conflict resolution affects its practitioners. Data for this study come from interviews and surveys of peace workers in various settings.

Section: Previous Research On the Impact Of Peace Work On Peace Wormentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Previous Research On the Impact Of Peace Work On Peace Wormentioning

confidence: 99%

Becoming the change we wish to see: The unexpected benefits of conflict resolution work

Raines

2018

“…Acts of writing about one's practice are arguably reflective exercises, and these can be found in abundance through books, journals (like this one), and blogs by mediation practitioners. Unsurprisingly, conflict practitioners who are conscientious about their practice take the time to reflect deliberately about what they are learning, the validity of the choices they are making, and how these lessons and experiences connect to their wider contexts (see, for instance, Helenek & Downs, 2018;Malizia & Jameson, 2018;and Raines, 2018, in a recent issue of Conflict Resolution Quarterly).…”

Section: Growth Of Reflective Practice In Mediationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflective practice and mediator learning: A current review

Almengor

2018

Mediator interest in reflective practice, a systematic process by which we think about or experience what we are doing in practice and why, is on the rise, evidenced by increased articles and professional organizations supporting its use. This growing interest signals its potential for integration into the mediation field, similar to its trajectory in more developed helping professions. By reviewing relevant literature and practice, this article defines and discusses reflective practice as it pertains to mediator learning and development, examines its strengths and challenges, and encourages needed research and practice in this area.

“…For instance, in their research, Paul and Borton () illustrate that restorative justice mediators/facilitators can have different perspectives on outcomes, process, and participants, resulting in four distinct orientations: advocacy, counseling, healing, and peacemaking. In another study focusing on the role of the mediator, Helenek and Downs () use autoethnographic reflection to conclude that “the application of restorative justice makes a major difference in our own lives, and in the lives of those around us” (p. 299). These studies clearly show that there are ample opportunities to learn more about mediators, as well as mediation participants, in the second wave of victim‐offender mediation research to come.…”

Section: Discussion: Findings Disparities Concerns and The Futurementioning

confidence: 99%

State of knowledge: Four decades of victim‐offender mediation research and practice: The evidence

Hansen

Umbreit

2018

This paper provides an overview of 40 years of victimoffender mediation evaluation research. This research demonstrates that victims and offenders are more satisfied with the process and outcomes than with the courts, they are more likely to draft and complete restitution agreements, they derive psychosocial benefits, the process is less expensive, crime victims are more likely to receive apologies from offenders, and offenders are less likely to recidivate. These benefits are not necessarily uniformly distributed. This "first wave" research provides a platform for the second wave, currently underway. To contextualize these findings, current and future victim-offender mediation practices are outlined.