A SCHEME bringing together offenders and their victims has been praised for its work.

Restorative Together has been awarded the Restorative Service Quality Mark (RSQM), which recognises professionalism and high standards of practice.

Commissioned by Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, Restorative Together was set up in 2016 to support victims of crime across Wiltshire and Swindon.

Restorative Justice is an alternative way of dealing with an offence or incident. It puts those harmed by crime or conflict — and those responsible for the harm — in contact, enabling everyone affected to play a part in finding a positive way forward.

The process can work alongside the criminal justice system but is also increasingly being used in our communities including schools, children’s services and workplaces. When appropriate it can also be used instead of criminal proceedings.

Finding a way forward, or a means of closure, can be the important next steps for a victim on their journey to repair the harm caused.

Restorative Justice Coordinator, Inger Lowater said: “The RSQM award recognises all of the great work that we’ve been doing here in Wiltshire for the past 18 months.

“The RSQM sets the national standard for delivery of restorative services, and we are delighted that we have qualified for this high standard.

“I’m very proud of what our team here achieves, and whilst some cases are more complex than others it’s important that our work continues on such a wide spectrum to ensure that we help victims of crime reach some level of resolution and that future crimes can be prevented.”

Recognition for Restorative Together follows a year in which staff and volunteer facilitators have dealt with a range of cases from social media conflicts to sexual assault and murder.

One victim of serious crime who took part in the process and met the offender said: “After the meeting I was exhausted as the whole process was very tiring. At the same time I also felt lighter and better.

“I couldn’t hate him anymore after having met him face to face and heard what he had to say. This was a big shift for me as I had hated him my whole adult life.

“I can’t praise Restorative Together enough. The facilitators did such a great job and the meeting was very moving. I feel purged. I’ve carried it for so many years and it has been lifted. I didn’t expect that. It’s not festering anymore. I can put it to rest.”

Restorative Together also delivers restorative justice training to police officers and PCSOs so the approach can be used within the community, with plans for all officers to be trained by June 2018.

Mr Macpherson said, “One of the most important elements in my role remains putting victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do, and I am proud that our restorative justice work has been recognised for the impact it has.

"I commissioned Restorative Together because I understand how important it can be to victims in getting questions answered and helping them express the feelings they have as a result of crime.”

For more information visit wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/Commissioning/Restorative-Justice.aspx