After a crime

Were you involved in a crime or do you know someone who was involved in a crime? Here you can read about how restorative mediation can help with recovery. After a crime, we’re there for victims, relatives of deceased people, suspects, and offenders. Anybody can contact us: we’re happy to explain more about the way we do mediation. It can concern many different types of crime: minor or major crimes, that happened a short time or a long time ago.

Is this right for me?

Victims often report that, after the contact, they’re better able to digest and move on from the crime itself and its consequences. They can get an answer to questions like:

‘Why me?'
‘What does the offender look like?’
‘Does the offender understand what the consequences were for me?’

An offender can answer questions and talk about what happened and how it happened.

‘I want to know what the consequences were for my victim.’
‘Now, I can show a different side of myself.’
‘I don't want the victim to be afraid of me anymore.’

How does restorative mediation work?

After you apply, the mediator will have a conversation with you about your wants and wishes regarding the mediation process. Only after that and with your permission, the mediator will contact the other person. Participation is always voluntary and confidential. It is completely free of cost, you don’t have to pay anything. Read more about how it works.

Read the experience stories of people who applied for restorative mediation after a crime.

Human to human. How restorative mediation can help.

Jordi was convicted for multiple robberies. Gwen was robbed at knifepoint inside her home. In this video, they talk about their experiences with restorative mediation.
Watch the video.

Experiences of participants

A conversation with the store robber after 25 years: “What have I got to lose?”
The store robbery that Belinda experienced has had a great impact on her life ever since. It even led to physical issues. Now that she has had a conversation with the perpetrator, her life has changed a lot. “I’m very happy I did it. A lot of fear got lifted from my shoulders.”
Jordi: “I turned from criminal to human again”
“Being a perpetrator doesn’t mean that person is completely evil. That’s true for me as well. I regret the robberies that I committed. I wanted to get in contact with the victims to tell them how I ended up in the criminal circuit.” Jordi (27) talks about his experience with restorative mediation.
Evi wanted to look the robber in the eyes
At first, Evi didn’t want to invest any more energy into the robbery that happened at the drug store she had been a manager at for years. But then her motherly heart got in the mix. 'I hoped I could contribute to a better life for him.' She’s also happy for herself that she agreed to a mediation.

Contact with the other person can help

Find out more about the possibilities and apply for restorative mediation.