Evolution Of Restorative Justice

Modern victimology is very different from victimology 50 or 60 years ago. Over the last two decades the science of victimology has underwent a fundamental evolution. The 1990s and early 2000s were full of data collecting and theorization, with the creation of new legislature, victim compensation, mediation and many other measures to help a victim to recover from all the negative effects of becoming a victim. Over the last two decades, victimization has emerged on the academic scene, with tons of colleges offering courses in victimology. Even an international review of victimology has come out with thousands of research articles and victims becoming a serious topic in criminal justice. I believe that restorative justice will be the future;

Even though it has proven to be a semi effective alternate to prison time and some other form of punishment, it has not helped with victim participation post crime or any other forms of compensation for injury that occurred. Even though we can track satisfaction among victims from mediation, we have to be very careful not to put restorative justice on a pedestal and overstate the benefits. Victim’s problems are not resolved once and for all by the solutions made available to them. The reparation and healing put forward in these approaches must not confine us to of their needs and the intricate processes connected with their recovery. Restorative justice has great potential for everyone involved. However, it is not the magic solution to all evils. It is just an option for some crimes in some incidents and under some conditions. It must not be considered a cheap form of justice or pretend justice. The restorative justice model will gain validity, only if victim’s needs are placed in head and it succeeds in rallying all of the people involved in the justice system, victim support groups in particular. Support groups must be actively involved in all stages of restorative justice programs. The community will never embrace and participate in restorative justice unless it understands its purpose and its

Even though there have been many recommendations, there have been no federal amendments to the constitution. During the past decade, new innovative programs and practices have been established and the range of victim issues has notably increased. The future of victim rights requires constant awareness, accountability and enforcement, and specialized training and education for law enforcement. It is through all of these efforts that law enforcement officers earn greater respect from victims and witnesses, and are more effective and efficient in their pursuit of justice. We need more national laws regarding victim compensation and defense that can be a set precedent for all levels of criminal justice throughout the