Perspectives of Juvenile Offenders Undergoing Victim-Offender Mediation with their Own Family Members: A Qualitative Study. Issue 7 (3rd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohammad, Taufik; Azman, Azlinda
• Is Part Of: Victims & offenders. Volume 13:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 995
• Page End: 1012
• Publication Date: 2018-10-03
• Subjects: Victim-offender mediation -- family relationships -- juvenile offenders -- Malaysia -- restorative justice; Victims of crimes -- Periodicals; Criminals -- Periodicals; 362.8805
• DOI: 10.1080/15564886.2018.1520766
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-4886

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The authors suggest that victim-offender mediation could be applied within the family contexts based on two arguments: (a) family members of offenders are also victims of the latter's crime and (b) repairing family relationships is pivotal in juvenile rehabilitation. Therefore, the objective of this research was to assess the perspectives of 11 juvenile offenders undergoing victim-offender mediation with their family members. A thematic analysis suggests that the juvenile offenders were satisfied with the process and outcome of the mediation especially in regard to the honesty and behavior shown by their family members. The mediation sessions and feedback from the juvenile offenders are discussed. The broad satisfaction reported by the offenders, with both the program and family participation, suggests that the application of the victim-offender mediation model into the family context may provide a promising alternative avenue for the rehabilitation of offenders.