Sunday, 16 January 2005 - 8:45 AM

This presentation is part of: Services for Criminal Offenders

Outcomes of Victim Offender Mediated Dialogue in Crimes of Severe Violence

Purpose: The purpose of this ethnographic study was to evaluate the results of the pioneering efforts of the first two states, namely Texas and Ohio to offer victims and offenders the opportunity for a victim-initiated, post sentence voluntary face-to-face mediated dialogue in crimes of severe violence, e.g. rape, aggravated assault, murder/manslaughter. Victims of violent crime suffer significantly more distress than minor crime victims (Strang, 2002), have slower recoveries, and limited responses to known interventions, e.g. psychiatric help, mutual support, and medications (Murphy et al., 2002). Yet with the exception of Texas and Ohio, the over 300 victim offender mediation (VOM) programs in the United States have been restricted to non violent property crimes and minor assaults. Method: The sample consisted of the first 40 victims and 39 offenders to participate in the programs offered in Texas and Ohio, approximately half from each site. Participants were recruited by the program directors in each state and interviewed once for 1 ½ -3 hours within six to twelve months after the mediated dialogue. Data were collected through: 1) In-person audio-taped interviews with participants (n=79), 2) interviews with volunteer mediators (n=16) and program staff members (n=5), and 3) videotapes of the mediated dialogues as well as program policies, procedures, training handbooks and case records. Intensive case study analysis was conducted and qualitative summaries were developed of themes and issues that emerged from the interviews and other sources, e.g. videotapes. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic and survey data. Results: The analysis of data from case stories of violent crime, staff and volunteer perspectives on the program, and victim and offender experiences yielded interesting findings including reasons for participating in the mediated dialogue, the experience of the preparation process and mediated dialogue sessions with attention to changed attitudes toward the other party, forgiveness issues, and spiritual outlook, participant evaluations of the mediator’s role, and personal growth and healing as well as differences between programs. Based on responses to six Likert scaled questions about the impact of the experience, 80% reported major life changes and 91% were very satisfied and 8% were somewhat satisfied with the program. Emerging program typologies were developed based on three observed approaches to mediated dialogue: Type 1 is therapeutic, Type 2 is narrative, and Type 3 is empowerment. Implications: Results can inform the efforts of the 12-15 states that are in various stages of implementing post-sentence mediated dialogue programs in crimes of severe violence. Post-sentence mediated dialogue may reduce victim trauma and protracted grief reactions. In addition, it may increase offender accountability and reduce recidivism. Results suggest the need to appropriate public funding for states to give victims of violent crime the option of pursing a post sentence mediated dialogue with their offenders. Recommendations are made for advanced mediator training, intensive preparation meetings with each party, a victim-initiated process, and flexibility and openness within protocols and procedures including a choice in the intensity of the process

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