Experiences related to victim offender mediation in juvenile justice as an intervention strategy in a pre-trial diversion programme
Wurayayi, Givemore
The experiences of victims, juvenile offenders and pre-trial diversion officers (social
workers) in victim offender mediation intervention applied in a newly implemented
pre-trial diversion programme in Harare Province, Zimbabwe were unknown.
Therefore, using the qualitative research approach, this study explored and
described the experiences of the victims, juvenile offenders and pre-trial diversion
officers with victim offender mediation as an intervention in a pre-trial diversion
programme in Harare Province, Zimbabwe. A purposive sampling method was
followed to select samples from the three target populations, that is, victims, juvenile
offenders and pre-trial diversion officers. Data was collected using semi-structured
face-to-face interviews and analysed using Tesch’s eight steps, as cited by Creswell
(2009:186). Trustworthiness of the research findings was ensured using Lincoln and
Guba’s model (Krefting, 1991:214-222). The findings of the study revealed that
victims and juvenile offenders welcomed an opportunity to face each other, tell their
stories, express their feelings and negotiate an amicable solution. The findings also
revealed that pre-trial diversion officers played essential roles to prepare victims and
juvenile offenders and mediate between them to enable them reach amicable
solutions.
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