Making a Difference

Investing in Children and Young People

Restorative Justice Produces Positive Results

There are many different ways of dealing with young people, who commit crime or offend the law in some way.

Restorative Justice is one such method.  It provides a forum where wrongdoers can meet with those they have harmed to take responsibility for their actions and to determine what needs to be done to repair the harm.  In direct contrast to the traditional criminal justice system, the process gives those harmed the opportunity to express how they and others have been affected by the actions of the person/persons responsible and to have a say in what will happen.

The Moray Youth Justice team, based in Lossiemouth, has been at the forefront of developing Restorative Justice in Moray.  There are now over 70 trained facilitators from a diverse range of agencies, including the Council's Education, Housing and Social Work teams, Grampian Police, Grampian Fire Service and the Children's Reported.

Evidence from both victims of crime and the young people themselves suggests that this practice is preferred to more traditional forms of punishment.  56 formal referrals, mainly from the Children's Reporter and the courts, have been dealt with to date.  This does not include police warnings and conferences that take place in schools.

"We are impressed and please that something has been done about our car getting damaged.  Knowing that the boys are sorry makes it easier."                                                                                                                          Victim.