Victim / Offender Case Studies

Case Studies

We include a number of real case studies which give a broad overview of some of the main activities that occur within a victim / offender mediation.
Case Study 1

Offence: Criminal Damage

In the early hours of a weekend morning a person attempted to gain entry to a residence by repeatedly banging and kicking on the front door and windows. The victim was very frightened and tried to convince the person to go away. Eventually An Garda Siochana were called and when they arrived an arrest was made and the person subsequently appeared in Court on criminal damage charges.

The case was referred to RJS for victim / offender mediation.

Anumber of separate meetings were held with victim and offender. These meetings were held at our offices.

The victims had a number of questions to which they required answers. The victim wanted the opportunity to relay their anger and upset over the incident and the offenders’ behaviour.

The offender wished to meet with the victim to offer an apology, confirm that they had not behaved liked that in the past and give an assurance that they would not do so again in the future.

A joint meeting was agreed.

The victim addressed the relevant concerns to the offender and also asked for certain assurances.

An apology (verbal and written) was accepted by the victim. The offender also provided a guarantee in writing, which stated there would be no future contact with the injured party or a repeat of such behaviour in the future.

A sum of money was also paid in Court as compensation and an additional sum of money to offset cost of repairs to the property.

Court Sanction: The offender also received a sanction from the Court.

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Case Study 2

Offence: Assault

This victim and offender in this matter were known to each other. It emerged in the Court that An Garda Siochana were aware of a number of other incidents between the named parties as a result of a long running dispute concerning a number of personal and business matters.

The service met separately on a number of occasions with each of the people involved. These meetings were held at a neutral venue.

Both parties declined the possibility of a joint meeting. The offender in the matter before the Court provided a written apology and a commitment to good behaviour in the future.

RJS also mediated an agreement regarding the dispute that existed between the individuals.

This case was particularly complex and necessitated quite a number of separate meetings and telephone conversations.
Court sanction: The offender also received a sanction from the Court.

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Case Study 3

Offence: Criminal Damage

The victim in this matter was the owner of a vehicle that was damaged while parked. A person was apprehended at the scene and appeared in Court on criminal damage charge. The cases was referred to RJS for victim / offender mediation.

A number of separate meeting and contacts were held with victims and offender. The meetings took place at our offices.

The victim in this matter did not wish to have any direct contact with the offender. It also emerged that the offender did not have the financial means to cover the damage caused.

The victim accepted the financial situation of the offender and other possible forms of reparation were discussed. It was agreed by the victim that the offender could undertake some charitable work.

RJS made contact with a placement agency for volunteers and briefed them on the proposal. Following discussions with a suggested charity a placement was found for the offender who worked with the charity for an agreed period of time. A letter of apology was also forwarded to the victim.

Court sanction: The Offender also received a sanction from the Court.

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Case Study 4

Offence: Larceny

The victim and offender in this matter were known to each other. The offender had taken a sum of money from the victim at a time when they had worked together.

RJS held a number of separate meetings with both victim and offender. These meetings were held in our offices and at a neutral venue nominated by the victim.

A joint meeting was agreed.

At the joint meeting the victim expressed disappointment, anger and confusion at the behaviour of the offender, given their previous good working relationship.

An apology was given an accepted and a figure in compensation was agreed.

This meeting ended with the two parties agreeing if they were to meet again they would do so in a civil and friendly manner and no reference would be made to the incident that was before the Court.

Court Sanction: The offender also received a sanction from the Court.

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Case Study 5

Offence: Criminal damage

In this particular case a public building was entered and considerable damage was caused by a number of persons. One person was apprehended at the scene and appeared in Court on a number of criminal damage related charges.

The case was referred to RJS for victim / offender mediation.

RJS held a number of separate meetings with a representative of the victim and offender. These meetings were held at our offices and at the workplace of the victim.

A joint meeting was agreed.

At this meeting the victim outlined to the offender the extent of the extensive damage and disruption that had been caused by the offending behaviour. The victim wanted an apology and explanation as to the behaviour.

This was provided by the offender along with a verbal and written apology, which was accepted. The offender also gave an assurance that there would be no repeat of such behaviour in the future.

Compensation to the value of the damage caused was also paid over in Court.

Court sanction: The offender received a sanction from the Court, which after a period of time resulted in the person receiving the benefit of the Probation Act. The victim was very supportive of the Courts decision in this matter.

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Case Study 6

Offence: Larceny

The offender in this matter was a female who had stolen a number of items from a retail outlet.

The case was referred to RJS for victim / offender mediation.

A number of separate meetings were held with the offender and a representative from the retail outlet.

A joint meeting was agreed.

At this meeting the victim representative explained to the offender the serious implications of shoplifting for staff members and the employer.

The offender provided a written and verbal apology, which were accepted by the victim representative.

Court sanction: The offender also received a sanction from the Court.