Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

This study draws upon evaluating the promotion of Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) as a form of Restorative Justice (RJ) in South Africa. Over the years, various measures have been implemented as part of the transformation of the justice system, with a view to ensure the centrality of victims, balancing their rights with those of offenders and minimising their secondary victimisation in the various stages of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) processes. This qualitative exploratory utilised Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), documentary reviews [media reports], and video analysis for data collection. This study provides that the VOD process does not effectively address crime impact[s] on victims and offenders rarely take responsibilities for their actions and harm caused, further ignoring strengthening broken relations with their victims. From the conducted interviews, analysed media reports and videos, VOD appears to be evoke emotional wounds among victims of various crimes and interested family members. This prompts multiple psychological and emotional risk factors, that lead to anguish, stress, sorrow, trauma and pedantry. For recommendations, re-evaluating VOD as a form of RJ would be beneficial for Department of Correctional Services (DCS) leadership and victims and families, only if emotional attachment to crime committed and forgiveness is clearly understood and balanced.