Partners team up for restorative justice awareness

Blackburn with Darwen Youth Justice Service teamed up with The Mall, Children’s Centres, Lancashire Constabulary, Victim Support, and Blackburn Youth Zone to raise awareness during International Restorative Justice Week.

The International Restorative Justice Week campaign aims to provoke interest and encourage debate by asking the public to think about what they would do if they had the chance to meet someone who committed a crime against them, giving them a real voice in the justice process.

Posters and flyers were displayed at Darwen Children’s Centre, Shadsworth Children’s centre and Blackburn Youth Zone.  Lancashire Constabulary joined forces with Victims Services and had a stand at Blackburn Central Library to raise awareness with the public about the benefits of a restorative intervention.

The volunteer Referral Order Panel members also supported the week by attending a workshop where they are devising a new young person friendly contract for the Referral Order.

The Mall works closely with the service to address anti-social behaviour, and help young people gain an understanding of how their behaviour has an effect on the town. Posters were left at the Ask Me point, to highlight the week. Staff at Blackburn Youth Zone were happy to display posters following the Restorative Practice awareness training their staff received earlier in the year.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, Executive member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

Working with all our partners lets young people know about restorative justice and gain a better understanding of what it is.

Restorative Justice can have a significant impact by helping victims to recover from crime and move on with their lives and makes offenders face up to the victims of their crimes in a very human way and in many cases realise the impact of their actions and to make amends.”