People affected by crime are not getting the justice they deserve. Over 94% of victims don’t know that there is a way to get their voice heard.

Victims of crime are often left silenced, without the chance to have their say or explain the impact that a crime had on them. They are also left with unanswered questions that they never get a chance to ask in court:

“Why me?”

“Could I have stopped it happening?” 

“Are you going to do it again?” 

This can leave them in a cycle of trauma that they are unable to escape from. Restorative Justice changes that, it gives them a way out.

"Taking part in Restorative Justice was the key that unlocked the door to my future." - Janika, Restorative Justice participant

Restorative Justice brings a victim of crime together with the person who harmed them, giving them a voice and a chance to ask the questions they need to move forward. It has a satisfaction rate of 85% but most people still don’t know it is an option. Research shows that less than 6% of victims of crime recall being told about Restorative Justice. Victims of crime face a postcode lottery, with access and funding varying across the UK.

Without national leadership on this issue, the vast majority of victims will never hear about the tool that could transform their healing.

With a new Government in place, and Restorative Justice in the public domain following the success of James Graham’s play, Punch, now is the time to act. Sign this petition now to ensure every victim has access to Restorative Justice, no matter where they live. 

We are calling on the Government to publish a Restorative Justice National Action Plan. The previous plan expired in 2018, leaving victims without a clear path to access this vital service.

By providing standardised guidance on funding, service provision and data collection across the UK, we ensure that people affected by crime can access Restorative Justice regardless of where they live. A national communications plan should also be launched to bridge the catastrophic gap in the number of victims entitled to information on Restorative Justice, and the number who actually receive it.

With this national leadership, victims of crime will feel heard, perpetrators will be rehabilitated and costs to the criminal justice system will be cut.