Face to Face: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Victim-Offender Mediation

Restorative justice (RJ) practices have become increasingly accepted as viable alternatives to the retributive justice system in Canada and the world as a whole. RJ has been appropriated from Indigenous knowledge, which is important to recognize. One example of RJ in our present colonial system is victim offender mediation (VOM), which involves the offender(s) meeting the victim(s) in the presence of a trained mediator. I utilized reflexive thematic analysis as described by Braun & Clarke (2022) to study nine cases of VOM in Minneapolis, USA, and Winnipeg, Canada. My analysis aimed to discover what participants say about their experiences with VOM. By analyzing interviews with victims and offenders both prior to and several months following mediation, as well as observing the mediations, I constructed a model of the mediation process. This model consisted of what happens prior to mediation (i.e., what motivates victims and offenders to participate), processes that occur during the mediation, and two types of satisfaction that may be present following mediation. Motivations to participate were found to be of two different orientations: self-focused and relationship-focused. Within the walls of the mediation room, expected as well as unexpected themes were discovered. Participants of course attempted to satisfy their pre-mediation motivations, an apology often occurred, and a healing connection was forged between the parties. However, sometimes a previously self-focused or unengaged offender was able to be pulled into a more relationship-focused orientation by having a compelling experience with the victim. This shift involved the challenging of one’s expectations about the mediation or the other involved party, whereby a corrective emotional experience occurred. Finally, two outcome themes were delineated: simple satisfaction, and healing through relationship. My findings were compared to previous research, and areas for potential future study as well as implications for practice were discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Saskatchewan

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Strauss, Cailey

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cummings, Jorden

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Farthing, Gerald
• Katz, Richard

• restorative justice
• victim offender mediation
• psychology
• justice
• offender
• victim
• VOM
• thematic analysis

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10388/14250

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:harvest.usask.ca:10388/14250