120 likes | 245 Views
The development of Victim-Offender Mediation in Sweden. Maritha Jacobsson. Legal system. Retributive Justice Restorative Justice. 1997: First mediation acitivities 1998: Experiment activities National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå) 1998: Evaluation Commission on Mediation
E N D
The development of Victim-Offender Mediation in Sweden Maritha Jacobsson
Department of Social Work Legal system • Retributive Justice • Restorative Justice
Department of Social Work • 1997: First mediation acitivities • 1998: Experiment activities • National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå) • 1998: Evaluation • Commission on Mediation • 2000: Recommendations for legislation • 2002: Mediation Act • 2003: Development of mediation activities • 2008: Compulsory for all municipalities to offer mediation to young offenders (Social Service Act)
Department of Social Welfare Social Service Act (2008) • It is compulsory for all municipalities in Sweden to offer Victim-Offender mediation to young offenders below the age of 21
Department of Social Work Mediation Act (Medlingslagen 2002:445) • Mediation organized by the state or municipalities • The perpetrator of an offence should get increased insight concerning the consequences of the crime, and thereby reduce the liklihood of relapse into crime • The victim should have the possibility to work through the feelings aroused by the offence • The mediator should be impartial • Mediation should be voluntary for both participants
Department of Social Work Mediation Act (Medlingslagen 2002:445) • The perpetrator should be over the age of 12 • The perpetrator should have accepted responsibility for the main elements of their offence • The meeting should conclude with some form of agreement between the participants
Department of Social Work Young Offenders Act (LuL 1964:167) • Proscecutors should/can consider whether mediation has taken place or not when proscecuting a young offender • The police should report to the social service when there is an offender below the age of 18 who is suspected for crime
Department of Social Work Stages in the mediation process • Report to the police • Ask the offender about interest for mediation • The mediation activity is informed • Proposal to the offender • Proposal to the victim • Pre-meetings • Mediation • Agreement
Department of Social Work Mediation in Sweden 2007 • 252 municipalities could offer mediation • 159 mediation activities • Mostly official workers (and laymen) (Brå 2007)
Department of Social Work Type of crime • Shoplifting 30% • Assault 18% • Criminal damage, graffiti 16% • Stealing 12% • Threats and harassment 9% (Brå 2007)
Department of social Work Essence and consequencesVictim-offender mediation in Sweden Maritha Jacobsson & Lottie Wahlin 2008-2010 Financed by: The Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority