Victims Advocating for Restorative Justice
On May 13, a new London-based organization was launched to support the right of crime victims to have access to restorative justice programmes. The organization, Why Me?, is the brainchild of businessman Will Riley who had surprised and fought with a burglar in his home. The subsequent restorative conference with the offender, Peter Woolf, proved to be a powerful experience changing both their lives.
Set-up for and by crime victims, Why Me? offers support and assistance for victims who could benefit from participation in restorative processes. The organization has identified four major objectives:
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Provide an opportunity for victims of crime who have experienced and benefited from Restorative Justice to have their voices heard in the argument for increased use of and access to RJ
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Raise awareness of RJ through the media using talks, real life case studies and the Internet
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Lobby for increased and assured access to high quality RJ for all victims of crime who want it
- Provide those who have been through a restorative process as a victim of crime with an opportunity to share their experience with one another and support the work of Why me? in a variety of ways.
Currently, Why me? is governed by a 15-person steering group made up of
both crime victims and restorative justice professionals. This group,
responsible for the early development of the organization, will hand
over control to an elected body of members in the future. The majority
of the steering committee members are crime victims.
The launch of Why Me? coincided with the presentation of the book
The Damage Done by Peter Woolf. Through this book, Peter tells
his story of long-term offending behaviour and how his meeting with
Will and another of his victims helped him to change. Part of the
proceeds from the book will go to support Why Me?
A short You-Tube video, The Woolf
Within, presents the experiences of Peter Woolf and Will Riley
with of crime, restorative conferencing, and life afterwards.
Several news articles highlight the launch of Why Me? and the stories
of both Will and Peter.
Burglar and Victim Launch Restorative Justice Group. Worthing Herald.
13 May 2008.
Burglar and Victim Are Best of Friends. Mirror.co.uk 19 March
2008.
How Restorative Justice Turned my Life Around. Times Online. 11 May
2008.
Why Me? is supported by the Restorative Justice Consortium and SmartJustice.
June 2008
