Access to Justice: Restorative Justice for hate crime in Lambeth and Southwark
This project communicated the value of Restorative Justice in addressing hate crime in Lambeth and Southwark. This includes hate crimes based on someone’s race, faith, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity.
Over the course of this one-year project, Why me? worked with police forces, youth offending teams, parent-teacher associations and civil society organisations to improve hate crime victims’ access to Restorative Justice.
We worked to identify groups who are particularly affected by hate crime in Lambeth and Southwark and find out about the barriers, needs and considerations that should be taken into account. We achieved this through working with community groups, and hearing their feedback.
Hate crime is rising in Lambeth and Southwark, and victims of hate crime are not getting the support that they need. Restorative Justice has the potential to break down barriers between victims of hate crimes and their offenders, and could have a significant benefit to both parties.
What we know so far about hate crime and Restorative Justice
- Hate crime victims are less likely to be satisfied by police handling of the incident than victims of other crimes.
- Government research has shown that Restorative Justice can result in 85% victim satisfaction rates, and a 14% reduction in the frequency of re-offending.
- Research from Mark Walters suggests that Restorative Justice could improve the emotional well-being of hate crime victims.
Increasing the use of Restorative Justice for hate crime in Lambeth and Southwark
- We’ve been hosting Restorative Justice awareness sessions with civil society organisations and schools in Lambeth and Southwark.
- We’ve been increasing referrals for Restorative Justice from police and youth offending teams for hate crime victims.
- We’ve been working with Lambeth and Southwark Councils to build partnerships which promote the use of Restorative Justice for hate crime.
Used alongside any punishment, Restorative Justice has the potential to identify and address the harms caused. This is because it lets victims take back control by telling their story and having their voices heard. The reality of their suffering is brought into focus for the person who committed the crime. This allows them to see the humanity in the person who they have harmed and helps them to change.
Lucy Jaffé, Director of Why me?
The leaflet below gives more information about the work Why me? is doing on Restorative Justice and hate crime. Please let us know if you would like a hard copy.
If you are interested in being involved in the project, get in touch with Ben Andrew at ben.andrew@why-me.org
This work is funded by the Home Office’s Building a Stronger Britain Fund.
