Crime Victims Confront Their Offenders: The Impact of a Minneapolis Mediation Program

Social workers are playing an increasingly active role in the emerging field of mediation. This article presents the findings of an evaluation of a victim offender mediation program. The study is based on a quasi-experimental design involving 516 interviews with 441 crime victims and juvenile offenders, including pre- and postmediation interviews and involving two comparison groups. The vast majority of victims and offenders experienced the mediation process and outcome (restitution agreement) as fair and were satisfied with the program. Significantly greater victim satisfaction and perception of fairness, as well as higher restitution completion rates by offenders, were found. © 1994, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.