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 at the People Place, #302 3402 – 27th Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 1S1
For more information, contact Margaret Clark at 250.540.8180 or email [email protected]
- What is Restorative Justice?
- Who is it for?
- Person Harmed
- Person Who Caused Harm
- Youth Mischief Video
- Presentations
What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative Justice is an opportunity to repair the harm caused to a person and/or business to address the impact of wrongdoing. Restorative Justice Services look 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 restorative justice Services is voluntary.
Who is it for?
Restorative Justice 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.
Person 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.
Restorative Justice includes the rights of victims as found in the Canadian Victim Bill of Rights;
- Right to Information
- Right to Participation
- Right to Restitution
- Right to Protection
Person Who Caused Harm
For Persons Who Caused Harm (accused) and their guardians and/or supporters, restorative justice allows them an opportunity to understand the impact of their actions; in a safe and supportive place. The restorative justice process is designed to support them in moving forward by supporting ways to repair the harm. Restorative Justice includes the rights of accused as found in the Criminal Code of Canada and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Youth Mischief Video
This video provides information on how a referral to the restorative justice process is managed with youth and their guardians. Jane, person harmed agrees to a referral to Restorative Justice Services when Tyler & Sarah, persons who caused harm to 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 250.540.8180 or email [email protected].
Restorative Justice presentations can be done virtually or in-person.
Being part of Mock Circle can give people a better understanding of the Restorative Justice process.