What is restorative mediation?

Perspectief Herstelbemiddeling guides and facilitates contact between people who were involved in a traumatic event. This could be a crime, a (traffic) accident, sexual violence, or for example transgressions in sports. We call this restorative mediation. Through the contact, the people who were involved are able to take a step towards their personal recovery.

Why restorative mediation?

The way that restorative mediation can help is different for everyone. It can often times help to process the event and move on from it. Participants can ask questions and give answers to each other. This way, both people can get more insights into how it happened, and what the consequences of the event are. Participants often feel relieved after the contact, they feel less scared and less angry, or less guilty about what happened. It helps them move on, and can avoid it from happening again.

When is restorative mediation possible?

Restorative mediation can take place at any moment participants want. It can be a short time after the event, or years or decades later. It is possible after both minor and major crimes or accidents. The participants decide for themselves what exactly they want to discuss during the mediation. Often times, they want to ask questions and give answers.

How restorative mediation works after...

Do you have any questions about restorative mediation? Please contact us.
You can also apply for an intake.

Moving on after a traumatic event. This is how we do it.

The way in which restorative mediation can help is different for everyone. In this video we explain in short what restorative mediation is. We also explain how it works and how it can help you.

Experiences of participants

“It offered me a lot, especially peace and clarity.”
Esther* (49) experienced sexually transgressive behavior when she was a student. She tucked the experience away and hid from it, but the memory of that night recently resurfaced. She decided she needed to do something about it, and applied at Perspectief to get in contact and talk with the other person about what happened.
“That fearful look in her eyes haunted me for a long time.”
The girl that suddenly crossed the road on her bike looked Henk straight in the eyes at the last moment. Then his truck hit her. “That fearful look in her eyes. It haunted me for a long time. That’s why I started searching.”
Hannah about restorative mediation after sexual abuse (incest)
In her childhood, Hannah was sexually abused by her father. Recently, she talked to her mother and father with the help of a mediator. 'I got sincere recognition from my father. I could calmly explain to him how the abuse had affected me.'