Experiences of participants

The way in which restorative mediation can help is different for everyone. Often times the mediation can help participants to process the event and move on from it. Here, you can read about their experiences. 

  • ervaring na misdrijf dader
    Pleasantly surprised

    Frans is in Leeuwarden prison for assault and making threats. He’ll be getting out soon. Not that long ago, he spoke to a mediator from Perspectief at a reintegration market. He took a folder, which skimmed once. Could this be something for him?

  • Ervaring bemiddeling na een misdrijf
    Ata: “I want to do everything I can to make it right.”

    Already during his prison sentence, Ata wanted to apologize to the victims of the fire he started in asylum seekers center. After he got out, a probation worker applied for him at Perspectief Herstelbemiddeling. What followed was a special conversation between victim and offender.

  • Els haar broer werd vermoord
    Els talks to her brother’s murderer

    After her brother Fred is killed by his partner, Els feels the need to get in contact with the perpetrator. Through Perspectief, Els talks to him in prison. From that moment, Els knows that forgiveness is the way to go for her.

  • Melissa slachtoffer overval
    Melissa talked to the robber in prison

    After Melissa was involved in a robbery at a supermarket, the perpetrator asked to get in contact with her through Perspectief. A few weeks later, Melissa can look the robber in the eyes. “There was a completely different man in front of me.”

  • Ervaring na verkeersongeval dader gesprek
    Rens: “Having this conversation was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

    Rens (28) was happy that Monique wanted to talk to him eight years after the accident in which she lost her two children. And even though it was the hardest thing he’s ever done, he’s very grateful that the conversation took place. “I wanted to do something good for Monique and Ludo so badly.”

  • Ervaring nabestaande herstelbemiddeling na verkeersongeval
    Monique’s two children died in a traffic accident

    Three teenagers from the same village get into a traffic accident after a night out. The driver survives, but his passengers, a brother and sister, do not. What now? Mother Monique: “Thanks to the mediator we can look back at an open and honest conversation.”