Work with victims and restorative approaches

Bradford Youth Justice Service (YJS) vision is: To help make Bradford a safer place to live.

One of Bradford YJS’s mission statements is “to reduce the harm caused by crime and work closely with victims.” Our primary concern is to help keep victims of crime safe and ensure they are offered the right support.

We are a service provider under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (PDF) and we have several duties placed on us.

The Code states that victims, whether an adult or child are entitled to the following:

  • Information about the progress of the child’s case upon request.
  • Information on appropriate victim services if a request for additional support is made.

Where possible, we will offer all victims of crimes committed by children working with the YJS, the opportunity to engage in voluntary restorative justice activities. We will invite the victim to take part in a restorative activity, taking into account the following:

  • The victims wishes.
  • The victims feelings and concerns.
  • Any sensitivities in the case, including the vulnerability of the victim.
  • Whether the child is able to engage in restorative activities.

If I have been a victim of a crime committed by a child, how could this help me?

The crime you have experienced may have left you with many questions and feelings that do not easily go away. This can be extremely upsetting, and we want to do all we can to help you come to terms with the distress and loss you may have suffered.

We have found that some victims of crime often want to know the answers to questions like:

  • Why did it happen to me?
  • Does the child realise the harm caused?
  • Is it going to happen again?
  • Why did the child do this?
  • What did their family think of their behaviour?

If you have provided consent and contact details to the Police Officer dealing with the crime, you will be contacted by a YJS Restorative Practitioner, who will provide you with information about the outcome of the case. You will then be offered the opportunity to participate in appropriate restorative justice activities process, this could include one or more of the following:

  • Receive a letter of apology or explanation from the child.
  • Invited to attend a Referral Order panel meeting or victim/child mediation session, where you would have the opportunity to ask questions of the child and let them know how the offence has affected you and others
  • Receive a face-to-face apology
  • If you do not wish to meet with the child your views can be represented by the Restorative Practitioner, who will support and keep you informed throughout your involvement with the YJS
  • You may wish to consider the type of work the child should carry out on your behalf (direct reparation) or for the local community (indirect reparation)
  • Victims of crime who decide to take part will have their needs and wishes taken into account and will be fully supported in any choices they make. Participation in the process is completely voluntary.

If the child receives a sentence of 12 months or more for a violent or sexual offence or the child is detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, Bradford YJS will notify the Victim Contact Scheme about all relevant victims within one working day of sentencing. The victim will then be contacted by the Probation Service, Victim Liaison Officer.

There are also several other organisations that provide help for victims of crime. These include:

Contact details

Bradford & District Youth Justice Service
Sir Henry Mitchell House
4 Manchester Road
Bradford
BD5 0QL

Phone : 01274 436060
Phone : 01274 436053
Email : adminyouthjustice@bradford.gov.uk

YJS.DutyMailbox@bradford.gov.uk

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