NCJ Number
240211
Date Published
2011
Length
104 pages
Annotation
This manual was developed by the Institute for Restorative Justice and Restorative Dialogue for use by victim outreach specialists and defense teams in developing a defense-initiated victim outreach program.
Abstract
Defense-initiated victim outreach (DIVO) is based on the philosophy of restorative justice and is intended to develop open lines of communication between the victim survivor, and/or their family, and the defense team. These lines of communication are intended to reduce the level of anger and tension that often occurs in criminal justice cases, especially capital murder cases. The manual has several purposes: 1) to assist victim outreach specialists (VOSs) in developing principled DIVO in their State or region; 2) to find material to assist VOSs in promoting DIVO among defense attorneys and other key stakeholders such as judges and prosecutors; and 3) to present programmatic ideas for maintaining and coordinating a DIVO program, overcoming obstacles, maintaining accountability, and assuring continuity of service. Topics covered in the manual include evolving standards of practice, information on restorative justice, a short description of DIVO, victim survivor trauma, principles of DIVO, requesting DIVO, assigning cases, procuring funding, mentoring, initial meeting with the defense, victim-survivor contact, collaboration, DIVO and relationship with defense counsel, victim outreach efforts, DIVO ethics for the defense, whether DIVO helps the defendant, and the kinds of needs that DIVO has addressed. Appendixes