16/7/04
Victims of crime and offenders in Joondalup will have access to a new free mediation service.
Justice Minister Michelle Roberts said the Victim-offender Mediation Unit would now operate from the Joondalup courthouse, providing impartial and private mediation for adult cases.
"Under the program, a representative from the unit will be seated inside the court to take immediate referrals from the magistrate," she said.
"The mediation program has been extremely well received. It holds offenders accountable for their crimes while providing meaningful assistance and often compensation to victims."
In the past, magistrates made referrals for mediation in the court that were later followed up by the Victim-offender Mediation Unit after the court appearance. Under the new system, referrals were made directly to the officer in the court and the process started immediately.
Mrs Roberts said extending the program to Joondalup brought the number of sites that operated the program to nine State-wide.
"The program started in the Perth Court of Petty Sessions and since then has been rolled out to courthouses in Rockingham, Mandurah, Bunbury, Busselton and, most recently, in South Hedland, Karratha and Roebourne," she said.
"More than 230 referrals have already been made to the program since it started 14 months ago and residents of Joondalup can be assured that its momentum will continue."
The Minister said referrals had been made for a range of offences such as stealing, burglary, assault, damage, stealing as a servant and assault on a person performing a public duty.
"The outcomes have included letters from offenders explaining their actions, a payment to upgrade a victim's home security system, the return of stolen money, attempts by an offender to locate stolen goods and direct apologies," she said.
Mrs Roberts said the success of mediation was backed by international research that showed up to 90 per cent of people were satisfied with the process and the resulting agreement.
"Often victims of crime just want their questions answered," she said.
"They can voice their questions and concerns through the mediator and, for some, it provides a way for them tell the offender about the impact the crime had on their lives."
Mrs Roberts said mediation involved a neutral person - the mediator - helping victims and offenders reach an agreement for compensation or other agreed resolution, such as a letter of apology or the return of property.
Mediation could occur face-to-face or, more frequently, via the mediator acting as an impartial third party between the victim and the offender.
Minister's office: 9213 6600
