Is restorative justice “Soft on crime”?
• Some would suggest that it is more difficult for an offender to meet face-to-face with the victim of their crime that to proceed through the criminal justice system. • In the traditional systems offenders are not required to accept responsibility for their actions, are not held accountable for their actions, and are not required to explain their actions. Many Offenders proceed though the system with a lawyer who speaks on their behalf. • Restorative justice offers a more demanding, active and clear opportunity for offenders to be held directly accountable to the victim and the community they have harmed. Rather than being soft on crime, restorative justice requires the offender to behave more responsibly by making amends to the victim and community. The human consequences of the offender’s behavior are dealt with more directly though restorative justice than they are in the current criminal justice system.
