Community of care from a victim-perspective: a qualitative study

Abstract

Even if there has been some theoretical debate on the role of what has been called the ‘community of care’ in restorative justice (RJ) there has not been much research on, or analysis of, the implications of the role of significant others in its practice. This lack of reflection is especially evident in the case of the victims’ community of care, despite findings that would indicate a systematic lack of participation of victim’s supporters in restorative practices. Through the qualitative analysis of 35 interviews with victims of crime who consented to attend mediation (direct and indirect), an attempt to describe and discuss the characteristics of victim’s communities of care that may become relevant for the practice of RJ is made. Results indicate that, despite a victims’ need for company or support, victims tend to disclose few details about the offense, its consequences and the mediation offered as a way to protect their loved ones or to avoid possible negative reactions from their communities. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are offered.

Keywords:

• victims
• community of care
• restorative justice
• mediation
• social support

Notes

1. Some have argued that the distinction between models is becoming less and less strict: programmes seem to be moving towards a multi-method model, that is, adopting strategies from different models according to what better fits a concrete situation (Schiff, 2003).

2. Specifically, in Catalonia: ‘Programa de mediación y reparación penal’ (adult offenders) and ‘Programa de mediación’ (young offenders). In the Basque Country: ‘Servicio de mediación penal’ (adult offenders) with offices in Bilbao, Barakaldo, San Sebastián and Vitoria.

3. With the exception of gender violence.

4. The term ‘proximity’ was selected to elicit notions of connectedness involved in the definition of community described at the outset of this article.

5. The interviews quoted in this article have been translated from Spanish. Literal translation has been avoided in order to facilitate the readers’ understanding of victims’ responses. However, the quotes’ translation has attempted to keep, as much as possible, its original emotional content by incorporating the symbols of conversational analysis. Some of these symbols are as follows (Silverman, 2006):[ overlaps between interviewer and interviewee:: extension of the sound(.) short silence(.3) long silence (number indicates seconds)(()) researcher’s comments