What are VORP’s and why do victims like them?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

VORPs are programs designed to bring offenders and their victims together in an attempt to reconcile the wrongs offenders have caused and are an integral component of the restorative justice philosophy. Many crime victims are seeking fairness, justice, and restitution as defined by them as opposed to revenge and punishment. Central to the VORP process is the bringing together of victim and offender in face-to-face meetings mediated by a person trained in mediation theory and practice. Meetings are voluntary for both offender and victim and are designed to iron out ways in which the offender can make amends for the hurt and damage caused to the victim. Victims participating in VORPs gain the opportunity to make offenders aware of their feelings of personal violation and loss and to lay out their proposals of how offenders can restore the situation. Offenders are afforded the opportunity to see firsthand the pain they have caused their victims, and perhaps even to express remorse. The mediator assists the parties in developing a contract agreeable to both. The mediator monitors the terms of the contract and may schedule further face-to-face meetings. VORPs are used most often in the juvenile system, but are rarely used for violent crimes in either juvenile or adult systems. Where they are used, about 60% of victims invited to participate actually become involved, and a high percentage (mid- to high 90s) results in signed contracts.