Victim-offender mediation in Canada

Abstract

Four victim-offender mediation programs in Canada were evaluated. Victims and offenders who participated in mediation were significantly more likely to be satisfied than similar victims and offenders who were referred to mediation but did not participate. Victims of crime were less fearful of being revictimized by the offender after participating in a mediation than those victims in the comparison group. Broader use of this emerging area of social work practice in North America and Europe should be considered, along with more rigorous studies.