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Restorative Justice

The Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon and District supports restorative justice and advocates on behalf of persons affected and/or involved in conflict.  Referrals are received from the RCMP or other referral sources within the Vernon/North Okanagan Detachment area, which includes Vernon, Okanagan Indian Band, Falkland, Spallumcheen, Armstrong, Enderby, Coldstream, Lumby and Regional Districts Electoral areas.

Restorative Justice Services are located in the Community Safety Office at 3010 31st Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2G8

For more information, contact Margaret Clark at 250.550.7846 or email [email protected]

What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice (RJ) is an opportunity to repair the harm caused to a person and/or business to address the impact of wrongdoing.  RJ Services seek to discover answers to these and many more questions;

  • What has happened?
  • How were people affected?
  • What can be done to repair the harm?

Participation in RJ Services are voluntary.

Who is it for?

Restorative Justice (RJ) Services is for persons harmed (victims) that agree to the referral when a person who caused harm (accused) has admitted to the wrongdoing.

RJ Services are available to both youth and adults victims and accused.

Persons Harmed

For Persons Harmed (victims) and their guardians and/or supporters, it allows them a chance to ask questions, to get answers and have a say in how to repair the harm they have experienced; in a safe and supportive place. The RJ process is designed to support them to move forward and heal.

RJ Services strives to include the rights of victims as identified in the Canadian Victim Bill of Rights;

  • Right to Information
  • Right to Participation
  • Right to Restitution
  • Right to Protection

 

Persons Who Cause Harm

For Persons Who Caused Harm (accused) and their guardians and/or supporters, it allows them an opportunity to understand the impact of their actions; in a safe and supportive place.  The RJ process is designed to support them in moving forward by supporting ways to repair the harm. RJ Services strives to include the rights of accused as identified in the Criminal Code of Canada and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Youth Mischief File

This video provides information on how a referral to the restorative justice (RJ) process is handled with youth and their guardians. Jane, person harmed agrees to a referral to RJ Services when Tyler & Sarah, persons who caused harm admit to a Mischief Under $5000 file.

In this video everyone agrees to go into a Community Justice Forum Circle.

 

Presentations

If you would like to learn more about Restorative Justice please contact

Margaret Clark at 250.550.7846 or email [email protected].

Awareness presentations can be done virtually or in-person. Being part of Mock Circle can give people a better understanding of the Restorative Justice process.

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