“It was very personalized — putting faces on those who participated creates more empathy and understanding for all involved.” — victim participant
Restorative Conferencing (often known as Victim Offender Conferencing) is a process where victims of crimes can have safe, constructive communication with offenders to share the personal, financial, emotional, and sometimes legal affects they have experienced as a result of a crime or 
misconduct. Along with giving voice to such impacts, victims also have a voice in forming reparation plans that allow offenders the chance to make amends for the harm done. In situations where victims choose to not participate, community members join the process to ensure a full restorative dialogue.
This same conference opportunity is also helpful to offenders. With support, they have a chance to apologize to others in a setting where they choose to do this on their own after hearing about the true affects of their crime on others. They also have a chance to make assurances about a new and different future, where they can take positive responsibility to mend things and to avoid repeating negative behaviors. Accountability, in this setting, is primarily a ‘giving back’ of something positive to fill the negative space created by the crime.
DIALOGUE
To begin the process, victims and offenders each meet individually with two trained facilitators.After these individual preparation meetings, BCRJP facilitates a dialogue between offenders, victims, parents and/or community members, and the meetings typically result in signed reparation agreements that BCRJP will track. The three main conference types are:
- Victim Offender Conference (face-to-face)
- Victim-Shuttle Conference (information relayed between parties)
- Community Member Conference
“There is no better way to resolve things if both parties are willing.” — parent of a teen offender
