A Fresh Start

Posted on: 14th, December 2023

Welcoming in the new year is often when we look ahead and plan for the future, but it can sometimes be just as valuable to use this time to reflect on the past. The beginning of a new year is the opportunity for a fresh start, and to address things that are weighing on our minds. 

If you have been involved in a crime, whether it was recent or many years ago, Restorative Justice could help you find closure.  

Restorative Justice is a voluntary service that brings victims of crime and offenders into communication in a safe, mediated environment. The purpose of Restorative Justice is to help victims of crime move on in a healthy way, allowing them to get their power and confidence back, show the offender how the crime has impacted them and ask any questions. 

Restorative Justice can also benefit the offender, by helping them see the impact of their actions, as well as providing the opportunity to apologise, explain and make amends where possible. It also reduces reoffending rates.

Restorative Justice is voluntary, so both parties have to agree to take part for the process to go ahead. It’s free, and facilitated by trained practitioners. Restorative Justice can happen face-to-face, or indirectly, through letters, phone calls, video calls or messages.

If the beginning of a new year has prompted you to consider Restorative Justice, please get in touch. 

Talk to our Restorative Justice service team in confidence

Email Us

Or call us on 0800 783 1550

Case Studies

A burglary case in West Yorkshire

John burgled Lucy’s home when she was outside hanging out her washing. When she came inside, she found him standing in her property. She describe...

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A Domestic Argument

Ann and her son, Nicky, had been enjoying an evening in together.  As the evening progressed, an argument started, which then escalated. ...

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A Non-Recent Child Sexual Abuse Case

A complaint of historical sexual abuse was reported to the police by two sisters who accused their stepfather of sexually touching them when they w...

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A Serious Assault Case

Caroline’s world was turned upside down when Simon, her partner, was punched in the face and knocked to the ground as he walked home from a night...

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A Sexual Abuse Case

The Restorative Justice service received a referral from Sarah, via her Victim Liaison Officer. The offences, which were of a sexual nature, were c...

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A Street Robbery

Daniel contacted the Restorative Justice team after he committed a street robbery on Carl. “The p...

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A Traffic Offence Case

Anne, 65, contacted the service, as she was interested in Restorative Justice. Her husband, Brian, 63, had been killed in a traffic collision 18 mo...

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Assault on a Police Officer in West Yorkshire

Coleen was a West Yorkshire Police Officer who was called to a report of sexual assault. Upon arrival at the address, there were a lot of people, m...

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Conditional Cautions and Restorative Justice

One evening in December 2023, Brad was driving along a motorway when a car indicated to join the carriageway from a slip road, causing him to swerv...

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Death By Dangerous Driving

The Restorative Justice service received an enquiry from a Victim Liaison Officer from the National Probation Service detailing that there w...

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Death by Dangerous Driving: Tara & Oliver

Tara was referred to the Restorative Justice team in West Yorkshire. Her brother, Thomas, had been killed three years previously by Oliver, who had...

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Hate Crime Awareness Course

Amiya was allocated as the Case Manager for Warren. Warren had a history of racial and religiously aggravated harassment towards a variety of peopl...

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Lydia's Story: Sexual Assault

Lydia was referred to the Restorative Justice service by her Victim Liaison Officer. She was the victim of a prolonged sexual assault at her home 1...

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Street Robbery

Ellis was a long term substance user, who was encouraged by an acquaintance – Mikel - to grab the handbag of a woman they saw in passing.  A...

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Street Robbery

Jemma was referred to Restorative Solutions by Victim Services in July 2019.  She had been the victim of a robbery.  The offender – Ale...

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Using a Restorative Approach to Address Conflict in the Home

A son was displaying an increasing level of verbal and physical abuse within the home. Mum has reached the point that she was scared that she could...

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What People Say About Restorative Justice

The restorative justice process has made me really think about the consequences of my actions.

John, offender

Restorative Justice has really helped. It has given me closure, and I feel much more positive.

Lucy, burglary victim

Now we can get on with our lives without the burden of what happened grinding us down.

Abuse victim

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