‘I Thought “He’s a Monster”… [But] He Was Just… Normal’

Walters, Mark

doi:10.1093/bjc/azv026

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…These findings are consistent with studies that found that meeting with the offender reduced the victim's fear of the offender (Strang et al, 2006). Other studies found that after a meeting, victims could see the offender as a person rather than as a monster, or in a neutral instead of a violent context (Strang et al, 2006;Tapp et al, 2020;Umbreit et al, 2006;Walters, 2015). Arguably, the positive outcomes may be explained in part by a selection effect.…”

Section: Perception Of Each Othersupporting

confidence: 88%

Meetings between victims and offenders suffering from a mental disorder in forensic mental health facilities: a qualitative exploration of their subjective experiences

Denderen¹,

Wolf²

2023

The International Journal of Restorative Justice

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Most studies about victim-offender meetings have been performed within prison populations, with little reference to offenders diagnosed with mental disorders. In establishing the effects of such meetings, these studies often use quantitative measures. Little is known about meetings between victims and offenders with mental disorders and about the more qualitative subjective experiences of the participants regarding these meetings. In this interview study, we inquired into the subjective experiences of sixteen participants in victim-offender meetings, six of whom are victims and ten offenders of severe crimes, currently residing in forensic mental health facilities. Topics of the interviews included benefits of the meeting and perceptions of each other prior to and after the meeting. Important benefits that participants experienced from meeting each other were reconnecting with family, processing the offence and contributing to each other's well-being. Such benefits are comparable to those mentioned in studies on meetings with offenders without a mental disorder, challenging the practice that mentally disordered offenders are often excluded from such meetings. Most victims experienced a positive change in perception of the offender owing to the meeting. They perceived the offender as a human being and associated him less exclusively with his offence. Implications for clinical practice are addressed.

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Section: Perception Of Each Othersupporting

confidence: 88%

Meetings between victims and offenders suffering from a mental disorder in forensic mental health facilities: a qualitative exploration of their subjective experiences

Denderen¹,

Wolf²

2023

The International Journal of Restorative Justice

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“…Nevertheless, the results also highlight the existence of changes in the perception that victims have about their offenders after VOM, taking on more positive and empathetic contours (Armstrong, 2012;Beven et al, 2005;Boriboonthana & Sangbuangamlum, 2013;Jacobson et al, 2012;Poulson & Elton, 2002;Strang et al, 2006;Umbreit et al, 2010;Walters, 2015). This fact is in line with what is defended by Braithwaite (2002), when he states that the wealth of restorative VOM lies in the humanization of the process and the consequent change of perception about the offender, which transforms the 'criminal' into a person who committed a crime and has its own context.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Interestingly, the results related to emotional overcome are consistently present in studies in which the participants were victims of crimes with a high degree of severity and violence (e.g., murder, physical, or sexual assault). In the work by Walters (2015), the case study participant even mentions that VOM was shown to be preponderant in her grief process. This fact gains consistency in the literature if we return to what was mentioned by Hoff and Hoff (2011), that the meaning of closure implies the acceptance of losses, which is a central component for the emotional overcome process of traumatic events, where there was little or no control (Hayes, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Flowchart outlining literature review search and selection process (adapted from Liberati et al, 2009). Beck et al, 2015;Davis, 2009;Helfgott et al, 2000;Koss, 2014;Miller & Iovanni, 2013;Poulson & Elton, 2002;Umbreit & Vos, 2000); Ireland (Lavin & Carroll, 2014); United Kingdom (Angel et al, 2014;Armstrong, 2012;Barr, 2013;Sherman et al, 2005Sherman et al, , 2015Tapp et al, 2020;Walters, 2015); Sweden (Jacobson et al, 2012); and Thailand (Boriboonthana & Sangbuangamlum, 2013).…”

Section: Characteristics Of the Included Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Psychological Impact of Restorative Justice Practices on Victims of Crimes—a Systematic Review

Nascimento¹,

Andrade

Rodrigues³

2022

Trauma, Violence, & Abuse

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Background: Restorative justice emerges as a theoretical-practical approach to the criminal legal system, in which the reparation of damage of the victim is a central point. However, the growing empirical production referring to the effects of this approach on victims is sometimes shown to be weakened or dispersed, focusing mainly on their satisfaction. Objective: The present work intended to systematically evaluate the empirical production of the restorative justice field, to aggregate and examine information in the literature regarding the psychological impacts on victims who participated in restorative practices. Methods: A search was made using electronic databases to identify quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies, published between January 2000 and December 2020 that reported psychological impacts on real victims of crimes, who participated in mediations/conferences victim–offender. Results: 35 studies were identified as focusing on the psychological impacts on victims resulting from restorative practices. These studies have shown effects on post-traumatic symptomatology, on the emotions and emotional needs resulted from victimization, as well as on the victims’ perceptions of their offenders. Conclusions: The present research showed that restorative justice practices have a positive psychological impact on victims, who are frequently forgotten in conventional justice, and that some of these impacts persist over time.

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“…Their findings conclude that involving the families of offenders and victims, as well as the individuals themselves, together offer a reassuring response to the community, and provide an open forum for all parties to openly converse. Further, research suggests that family members from deceased people in any homicide case can significantly benefit from involvement with the Restorative Justice process, seeking to understand reasons for offending and allows for assistance in their processing of the death (Walters, 2015).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The police journal Restorative Justice in roads policing

Lavanchy

2022

The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles

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With advocates for Restorative Justice arguing that punitive punishments through prosecution alone do little to prevent offending, it must be examined why restorative practices are not more frequently used to tackle road-related harm. In Roads Policing, the victim rarely has an opportunity to take part in the rehabilitation of an offender for their specific offence. Educational courses currently exist for offenders that cause low-level harm (or potential harm) on the roads, yet there appears to be no voice for the specific victim; instead, they must rely on an offender being deterred from future offending by general education or enforcement.

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‘I Thought “He’s a Monster”… [But] He Was Just… Normal’

Cited by 18 publications

References 35 publications

Meetings between victims and offenders suffering from a mental disorder in forensic mental health facilities: a qualitative exploration of their subjective experiences

Meetings between victims and offenders suffering from a mental disorder in forensic mental health facilities: a qualitative exploration of their subjective experiences

The Psychological Impact of Restorative Justice Practices on Victims of Crimes—a Systematic Review

The police journal Restorative Justice in roads policing

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