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Victim Offender Conferencing (VOC)

 

What is VOC?

VOC, a restorative justice program of MCMC, provides an opportunity for victims of juvenile crimes to meet face to face with their offenders in a voluntary and confidential conference, facilitated by mediators specially trained by MCMC, at no cost to the parties. The facilitator guides the parties in their communication without making any decisions for them. This program is not available to juveniles who are accused of sex crimes or crimes of severe violence. The VOC program has been used successfully in cases involving harassment, simple assault, trespassing, theft, burglary, aggravated assault, retail theft, vandalism, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and disorderly conduct.

• The benefits of VOC include the following:
• Victims can talk about the impact of the crime with the person directly responsible in a supportive environment.
• Victims may take an active role in the juvenile justice process and may be eligible to receive compensation for losses.
• Offenders must face the real human and financial costs of their actions and accept responsibility for harm caused.
• Offenders are offered an opportunity to show that they are on a path to becoming productive members of the community.
• Volunteer community facilitators can have a direct and positive impact on the juvenile justice system, and can learn skills applicable to other areas.
• Juvenile justice officials can offer victims an expanded role in the system and a way to effect positive change in juveniles not otherwise available.
• The community benefits when open and honest communication helps victims come to terms with difficult events in their lives because of juvenile crime, and offenders and their families can face the results of bad decisions.

 

Become involved!

If you are interested in becoming a VOC facilitator, please download the Volunteer Mediator Application. The Basic Mediation training offered by MCMC is a prerequisite. Additional training at no charge is available for the VOC program.

Contact Tom Haney at
610-279-8909 ext. 105
or THaney@montcomediation.com

 

Participant Feedback

VOC provides a unique opportunity for honesty, communication, and restoration between juvenile offenders and victims of juvenile crime. Both parties involved often find VOC to be an opportunity to come to terms with a difficult event in their lives. As one mother of an offender put it:

"My son had the chance to meet with the person he hurt. He was given the opportunity to rectify the situation and realize that he didn't just damage property but that he actually hurt a human being as well."