Restorative Justice programs speak directly to youth at risk

BY BRENT FOX

bfox@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

They’re there not to cure, but to provide necessary skills. The Valley Restorative Justice Society offers programs for young people at risk in West Hants, Kings and Annapolis counties.

It offers community-based programs with which to respond to youth crime and those harmed by it. The programs include Restorative Justice, Community Service Order Program, Youth Anger Management programs, Justice Awareness, Public Information and Awareness and others useful to at-risk youth.

Restorative Justice involves holding offenders directly accountable to the victims and community while restoring victims’ emotional and material losses.

The organization is funded by the province, Justice Department and private donations.

Executive director Marge DeBodt spoke to the Kings Crime Prevention Association Oct. 28.

“It’s not our job to cure youths,” DeBodt said, “it’s our job to provide skills.”

She noted that youth can be referred to programs by schools, police, Family and Children’s Services, Corrections Services and Valley Restorative Justice. There are also self-referrals.

Restorative Justice participants must be between 12 and 17 years of age and agree to take part.

Other programs such as Options to Anger usually involve students from Grades 8 to 12. They are eight weeks in duration and include a student workbook.

‘In every situation, the victim is different’

Victim Empathy teaches understanding what a young offender has done to the victim. “In every situation, the victim is different,” DeBodt said. The course is open to small groups and individuals.

The Positive Self program is in a school setting and involves dealing with peer pressure.

Stoplift is a 3.5-hour course on thefts of property valued at less than $5,000 from stores. Participants learn the consequences of such acts on the victim, the community and themselves.

Developed by Valley Restorative justice, Justice Awareness involves three one-hour sessions on such issues as laws, criminal records, youth and adult court and restorative justice.

Choices Drug and Alcohol Awareness is for drug offenders or those who need the course. It is non-judgmental and covers the short and long-term effects of a person’s drug history.

The Off-Highway Vehicle Workshop is available to those who have run into the Off-Highway Vehicles Act. It educates them on the current Act and on safe use of such vehicles as well as the consequences of misuse of the machines.

The leisure Education Program helps youth 12-15 years of age to learn the value of a balanced life and identifying their leisure interests to change their lives.

Acadia University Recreation Management graduate students developed the manual and the course was developed with the support of the Eastern Kings Memorial Health Foundation.

DeBodt said, “we are responding to our community.” This includes in prevention and restorative justice.

Courses can be delivered in the schoolroom or boardroom. Participating groups benefit from a safe environment; discussion; having young people seen, heard and validated; and stress relief.