Restoring victims’ confidence: Victim-centred restorative practices
| Published date | 01 September 2023 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/02697580221128830 |
| Author | Jo-Anne Wemmers,Isabelle Parent,Marika Lachance Quirion |
| Date | 01 September 2023 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
https://doi.org/10.1177/02697580221128830
International Review of Victimology
2023, Vol. 29(3) 466 –486
© The Author(s) 2022
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DOI: 10.1177/02697580221128830
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Restoring victims’ confidence:
Victim-centred restorative
practices
Jo-Anne Wemmers
Université de Montréal, Canada
Isabelle Parent
Université de Montréal, Canada
Marika Lachance Quirion
Université de Montréal, Canada
Abstract
Victimization, and in particular sexual violence, undermines victims’ confidence and self-esteem.
Victims often feel guilty and blame themselves for what happened. Fearing negative reactions,
victims of sexual violence are often reluctant to report the crime to police. When victims do
report to the police, the criminal justice process is often difficult and most sexual violence cases
do not end in a conviction. Restorative practices (hereafter RP) have been presented both as
a possible alternative and a complement to the criminal justice process, which could improve
victims’ experiences. However, there is also considerable resistance to the use of RP in cases of
gender-based violence. Using a victim-centred lens, in which it is seen as a reaction to victimization
that aims to address the needs of the victim and allow them to advance in their healing process,
we examine RP. Based on semi-structured interviews with 18 victims of sexual violence in Canada
who participated in RP, we explore the healing potential for victims. We conclude that for victims
of sexual violence, victim-centred RP should be viewed as a tool for victim support and not only
as another tool in the criminal justice toolkit.
Keywords
Victims of sexual violence, restorative practices, reparation, healing, self-esteem
Corresponding author:
Jo-Anne Wemmers, École de criminologie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC
H3C 3J7, Canada.
Email: jo-anne.m.wemmers@umontreal.ca
1128830IRV0010.1177/02697580221128830International Review of VictimologyWemmers et al.
research-article2022
Article
Wemmers et al. 467
Sexual violence can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims. The criminal justice system,
however, is often ineffective and incapable of successfully responding to sexual violence (Lessard,
2017). Rather than help victims, engaging in the criminal justice system is often difficult for vic-
tims and they feel victimized all over again (Campbell et al., 2001; Hansen et al., 2021). Restorative
practices (hereafter RP) have been presented as a possible alternative or complement to the crimi-
nal justice process, which could improve victims’ experiences (Llewellyn et al., 2015; Roach,
1999; Van Camp and Wemmers, 2016). However, those working with victims have often been
reluctant to embrace RP, especially in cases involving gender-based violence (Daly, 2016; Nelund,
2015). Emphasizing the need to protect victims of gender-based violence and the inherent absence
of equality underlying violent victimization, these victims are often categorically excluded from
existing RP programmes (Nelund, 2015; Van Camp and Wemmers, 2016). While concerns about
victims’ safety should always be taken seriously, some victims of sexual violence express interest
in RP (Koss, 2014; Tufts, 2000). This draws into question their exclusion from such programmes
and highlights the need to understand the experiences of victim of sexual violence with RP.
In this article, we will examine the experiences of victims of sexual violence with RP and
explore what it means to them. Following a discussion of the impact of sexual violence on victims’
self-esteem and confidence, and their experiences with the criminal justice system, we will focus
on RP, and in particular, victim–offender dialogue (VOD). This is followed by a presentation of our
research with victims of sexual violence who participated in RP programmes, which use VOD.
Many of the victims interviewed talked about the healing impact of VOD, in particular, restoring
self-esteem and confidence. This paper focuses on victims’ voices regarding RP in cases of sexual
violence.
The impact of sexual violence on self-esteem and confidence
Short-term reactions to victimization include anger and fear; however, over time, these emotions
can turn into long-term depressive effects, low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, and occasion-
ally into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (AuCoin and Beauchamp, 2007; Shapland and
Hall, 2007). Responses to traumatic events, such as sexual violence, include substance abuse,
identity confusion, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and feelings of guilt and shame in
addition to anger, low self-esteem, depression, and post-traumatic stress (Carlson and Dalenberg,
2000; Ullman and Peter-Hagen, 2016). Victims of sexual violence often know their aggressor, and
being victimized by someone you know can be more distressing and confusing than being victim-
ized by a stranger (Langton and Truman, 2014). Compared to women who experienced non-sexual
trauma, women who suffered a sexual traumatic event were found to have higher levels of depres-
sion and had lower self-esteem up to 2 years after their victimization (Kucharska, 2017).
Self-esteem is an overall feeling of self-worth, and how we feel about ourselves often shapes
how we interact with the world and with others (Oney and Oksuzoglu-Guven, 2015). Sexual vio-
lence can have a harmful impact on a person’s self-esteem (Kucharska, 2017; Osman and Merwin,
2020; Van Bruggen et al., 2006). Studies show that self-esteem is negatively correlated with mental
health problems (Costa and Gomes, 2018). Self-esteem is considered a basic human need, which is
essential for the well-being of the individual and their healing (Staub, 2003; Ten Boom and
Kuijpers, 2012).
Self-confidence is about trusting one’s ability (Oney and Oksuzoglu-Guven, 2015). Interpersonal
violence, especially sexual violence, can have a devastating impact on a person’s self-confidence
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