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Commissioner champions restorative justice in
Lancashire
THE Lancashire Police and Crime
Commissioner Clive Grunshaw is championing restorative justice in Lancashire, as
part of this year’s International Restorative Justice Week. The campaign week
takes place between 15 and 22 November to celebrate and raise awareness of the
process, how it works and how it can benefit victims of crime. The theme
of this year's week of action is 'I've got something to say' to
highlight how restorative justice can give victims a voice and help them move
forward with their lives. Restorative Justice (RJ) gives victims of crime
the opportunity to meet with the person that committed the crime against them
and a chance to explain the real impact the crime has had on their lives. It is
a chance to ask questions and get some of the answers that may be needed in
order to move on from a crime. The process also helps offenders to understand
the effects their crimes have had on the victims and their families and is an
effective tool in stopping people from re-offending.
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:- "I
want victims to know they have a voice and that they will be listened to. I
strongly believe that victims have a right to get the answers to their questions
following a crime. Restorative Justice is an important tool in ensuring that
happens. It forms a key part of my victims' and witnesses' strategy, and I have
allocated over £55,000 to develop an RJ Team and support the development of more
Community Restorative Justice Panels across Lancashire. I am confident this is a
positive step toward making our communities better, safer places to live, and to
giving victims of crime and antisocial behaviour a real voice. Most of our
Police Officers in Lancashire have been trained in restorative justice and are
involved in raising awareness, facilitating Restorative Justice Conferences or
signposting victims to the specialist RJ Team."
The growing number of Community Restorative Justice Panels indicates a
willingness by local volunteers to become involved in facilitating the process
in their area and they are already receiving referrals from a range of
organisations such as the Local Council, housing associations, local businesses
as well as the Police.
You can follow the activities around Restorative Justice Week on social media
using #RJweek2015. To find out more about restorative justice in Lancashire and
how to access it please visit the PCC's
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