Chilliwack Restorative Justice And Youth Advocacy Association
A Community Focused on Restorative Solutions
We believe in youth!
We believe in giving a second chance!
We believe in sharing wisdom!
Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy Association is a volunteer based program aimed at fostering a safe and caring community by administering restorative justice programs. The mandate of the program is to bring offenders and victims together to discuss criminal incidents and to find ways to repair the harm caused. The Association has been in operation since 1998 and during this time has been extremely successful in connecting youth with their community, providing mentoring to young offenders, providing a forum for victims, and facilitating the payment of monetary restitution to victims by offenders.
Since its inception Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy Association has offered restorative services to more than 3500 people affected by criminal acts such as shoplifting, arson, assault, theft, break & enter, vandalism and mischief.
What We do...
- Involve the victim, the offender and the community in the restorative process and resolution
- Develop relevant, reasonable and restorative resolutions
- Increase offenders awareness of how their actions affect others
- Facilitate restitution from offenders to victims when appropriate
- Encourage a supportive and caring environment through advocacy and mentoring
- Aid participants to gain self-worth through the restorative process
Restorative Justice Explained
The Youth Criminal Justice Act is the federal legislation that governs young persons. It has jurisdiction over young offenders until they reach the age of 18. The Act allows for "Extrajudicial Measures". These measures can be used by the police and Crown attorneys to deal with young offenders without using the formal court system. Restorative Justice is such a measure and is an option for a young person to be held accountable and to repair the harm caused by the offence.
In order to participate in the restorative justice process an offender must accept responsibility for the offense and be willing to participate voluntarily in a restorative justice forum.
Restorative Justice in Chilliwack is also made available to appropriate first time, non violent, adult offenders.
What is a Restorative Process?
A Restorative Process is a safe, controlled environment in which an offender, victim and their families or supporters are brought together under the guidance of a trained facilitator. Together, they discuss the offence, how they have all been affected, and jointly develop a plan to correct what has occurred.
Offenders must accept responsibility for their own actions. They are confronted with how their behaviour affected the victim, their family and supporters, their own family and supporters, as well the community as a whole. They hear it directly from the victim and other affected parties.
The conversations are often difficult and emotional, so a neutral, impartial and well trained facilitator is present to guide the conversation. Each person is encouraged to speak openly, honestly and fully.
Together they create a plan that will satisfy the needs of everyone. Agreements may include an apology letter, community service, or counseling. There are many options within restorative justice.
Our Mission Statement
To foster a safer community through restorative justice with a focus on youth who have caused harm to people and property; holding them accountable for their behavior and reintegrating them with their community.
Vision Statement
A Safe and Caring Community through Restorative Justice.
Links:
Alberta Restorative Justice Association - www.arjassoc.ca (For information on Restorative Justice programs in Alberta.)
Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime - www.crcvc.ca (For information on up to date legal changes, outlines a victim’s rights as stated by the federal government, and has a directory of victim services available in each province.)
Centre for Restorative Justice – Simon Fraser University - www.sfu/ca/cfrj (For information on Simon Fraser’s Restorative Justice Program and an overview of Restorative Justice Practices)
Department of Justice Canada – Policy Centre for Victim Issues - www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pcvi-cpcv/index.html (For information on victim services, funding, and news)
Living Justice Press - www.livingjusticepress.org (A nonprofit publisher of books related to Restorative Justice.)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Restorative Justice www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/ccaps-spcca/restjust-justrepar-eng.htm (For information on Community Justice Forums and outlines of what circumstances apply and the benefits.)
|
