Stories
We feature a series of case studies from our Restorative Justice ambassadors giving their personal stories. These stories are powerful illustrations of the impact of Restorative Justice can have and we thank all of our ambassadors greatly for sharing them. The stories below are not to be reproduced without the express permission of Why me?
These stories include crimes that have occurred and may be difficult to read.
If you have been affected by crime and/or would like to have your story published on our website, please email us on info@why-me.org.
Marlee’s Story
Marlee was the first person in North America to get access through the courts to Restorative Justice for sexual violence, after being raped in 2016. The restorative process took her from feeling voiceless and disempowered after the court process, to feeling empowered, relieved and hopeful.
Will’s Story
In 1992, Will was kidnapped and tortured in a case of mistaken identity. After spending 30 years bottling up the emotions he felt as a result of the attack, Will met one of the people who harmed him in a face-to-face Restorative Justice meeting. The meeting changed his life completely.
Andy’s Story
In 2019, Andy’s son, Joe, was killed in a road traffic collision caused by a driver on his phone. The tragic loss left Andy feeling angry and confused. After two Restorative Justice meetings with the driver, Andy found forgiveness for the man who killed his son and says he’s a changed man.
James’ Story
James spent most of his life involved in crime, addicted to drugs, and struggling with his self-worth. At the height of his stealing, he was taking roughly £140,000 a year. Meeting retailers face-to-face and building connections with them was a turning point that enabled James to see the bigger picture and find his purpose.
Tami’s Story
Tami is a small business owner from Ontario, Canada. When a beloved community mural on the side of her building was graffitied, she was left with unanswered questions. Restorative Justice gave her the resolution she needed.
David’s Story
David* served a 15 year prison sentence after killing someone and pleading guilty to murder. He sought Restorative Justice after finding out about it on a victim awareness course that he completed in prison. Eventually, David met with a family member of the person he killed and was able to give them the answers that they needed.
Lisa’s Story
Lisa was walking home from her shift as a nurse when she was attacked by two young people who stole her phone. She later met them in a restorative meeting that was able to give her the closure she needed. Both the young people had English as an Additional Language, so an interpreter was present to translate between Lisa, the young people, and their families during the conference.
Debbie’s Story
In 2005, Debbie’s brother was beaten to death by two men that he thought were his friends. 15 years later, Debbie met one of the men who had killed her brother in a Restorative Justice meeting. The meeting allowed her to get answers to her recurring questions and gain a sense of closure.
Sheldon’s Story
Sheldon was approached and threatened with a knife by a young person as he walked through a local park. Following the attack he was keen to meet the young person and one of their parents in a restorative meeting.
“It gave us both the opportunity to confront properly what happened. Whilst I am still wary of walking through the park, the conference has given me closure. Restorative Justice has the potential of saving lives.”
Ann-Marie’s Story
Ann-Marie was the victim of bullying and learning disability hate crime on the bus. She was keen to convey her experience, be treated with dignity and respected for who she was.
So she worked with Restorative Cleveland to make a video talking about her experience.
Rob’s Story
When his son was robbed, Rob was given the chance to meet the young person responsible to explain the impact of his actions.
Meeting the perpetrator allowed Rob to fully move on from the incident, and lifted a weight off of his shoulders which he didn’t even know he was carrying.
Janika’s Story
Janika suffered a violent knife attack at the hands of her former partner. He was convicted for attempted murder and remains in prison. She said, “Taking part in restorative justice was the key that unlocked the door to my future.”
Teresa’s Story
Teresa was sexually abused by her father when she was very small. He never admitted the crime, which caused rifts in the family. After years enduring trauma and with her father having passed, Teresa sought Restorative Justice.
Wendy’s story
Wendy was sexually abused by her father when she was 14 years old. He pleaded guilty and received a £20 fine and a one-year conditional discharge. Over 40 years later, Wendy met her father in a restorative meeting.
Sherrall’s Story
Sherrall was verbally attacked by a young person who refused to let her wheelchair pass. Worried that the police would not take her seriously, the incident was never reported. A few years later she contacted Why me? and took part in a restorative conversation.
Paul’s Story
Paul and his family were enjoying a normal evening when the doorbell rang and a gang of four men pushed their way into the house and demanded cash. The police arrived within 8 minutes, and the four men were subsequently arrested, convicted and jailed for a total of 64 years.
Lucy’s Story
Seven years after he committed a violent attack on her, Lucy met her ex-partner in a restorative meeting.
This meeting gave Lucy the chance to gain closure and move on with her life.
Rachel’s Story
Just a few months after Rachel’s house was burgled, she was invited into prison to share how much hurt and harm he’d caused her and her family.
Viv’s Story
Viv and her husband were woken during the night after their house was broken into. They were able to talk to the young man until the police arrived, and Viv later met him again through Restorative Justice.
Rosalyn’s Story 
Rosalyn was raped and tortured by a serial rapist, who broke into her home one evening, whilst her two year old daughter slept in the room next door. Rosalyn felt strongly that she wanted to meet her attacker to ask ‘Why?’.
John’s Story
John Mcgowan is the head porter at Durham Cathedral. He lives on site. One night in November 2013 he became aware of noise on the roof of the Chapter House. He went to investigate and saw that four people had climbed up some scaffolding and were putting themselves in much danger as the roof is very high and there is a steep drop into the river at one side.
Kate’s Story
Kate Morgan’s daughter, Lona, died after her friend Ian Edwards lost control of the car they were travelling in. He was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.
“I was pleased that he’d got some sort of punishment but the length of the prison term didn’t matter to me. Twelve days or twelve years, it wouldn’t bring Lona back. Over the next few weeks I realised I still had questions I wanted answers to.”
Interested in becoming one of our Restorative Justice ambassadors? Find out more in our leaflet below:
