Language barriers in Restorative Justice meetings

Posted on: 19th, April 2024

We offer Restorative Justice following any crime where there is an identifiable victim and offender, so it’s important that language barriers between parties don’t impact anyone’s ability to access our service. 

Where necessary, we use an external translator service to help victims and offenders communicate. It’s essential that this intermediary translates participants’ words verbatim, as nuance can be lost if questions, answers or explanations are paraphrased or condensed. Using translators means that participants who would not otherwise have the chance to experience the benefits of Restorative Justice - it can help both offender and victim gain closure and move on from a crime, provides the offender with the chance to apologise, explain and make amends, and can alleviate mental health issues resulting from the crime  - have the opportunity to do so.

If you think Restorative Justice is right for you, please contact us

Let’s help change your life

Talk to our expert team in confidence today

Email Us

Or call us on 07535 692669 / 07535 692584

Case Studies

A Street Robbery

Daniel contacted the Restorative Justice team after he committed a street robbery on Carl. “The p...

Read More

Burglary Case

Victim initiated referral after receiving information about Restorative Justice from victim bureau staff when given court result. Victim was still ...

Read More

Burglary: John & Lucy

John burgled Lucy’s home when she was outside hanging out her washing. When she came inside, she found him standing in her property. She describe...

Read More

Conditional Cautions and Restorative Justice

One evening in December 2023, Brad was driving along a motorway when a car indicated to join the carriageway from a slip road, causing him to swerv...

Read More

Injury By Dangerous Driving

The offender, Sam*, had committed the offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. This was a first time offence, and he was extremely r...

Read More

Neighbours' Dispute

A neighbours’ dispute had been occurring between John*, who owned a house adjoining a public right of way, and Frank*, who was the son of the own...

Read More

Non-Recent Child Sexual Abuse

The offences against Joshua were of a sexual nature and were committed in the 1980s, when Joshua was aged between 10 and 15 years old. To...

Read More

Using a Restorative Approach to Address Conflict in the Home

A son was displaying an increasing level of verbal and physical abuse within the home. Mum has reached the point that she was scared that she could...

Read More
Next
Previous
What People Say About Restorative Justice

The facilitators have been wonderful. I feel stronger than I did. I would really recommend Restorative Justice.

Burglary Victim

Thank you for the letter, it has made a real difference to how I feel about what happened

From victim of a criminal damage to vehicle where the offender wanted to write a letter which explained what he had been feeling at the time and how sorry he was now.

Thank you for the letter, it has made a difference to how I feel.

Georgia, Victim of Crime

Thank you for the update, I felt reassured that the offender has apologised and that her behaviour was subject to some reflection and accountability.

Linda, Victim of Crime

He's done what he has been asked to do (apologise for the harm caused) - I'm very happy with that.

Kieran, Victim of Crime

Next
Previous
Our Partners