Offender-victim mediation

Offender-victim mediation is an offer to those affected by and responsible for a crime with the aim of resolving the conflict arising from the crime out of court. It is voluntary, fair and impartial, confidential, free of charge and unbureaucratic.

In principle, it can be considered for all types of offense and is possible at any point during criminal proceedings. Victim-offender mediation is prepared, carried out and supported by trained, impartial mediators.

The aim of victim-offender mediation is to restore social peace. In a voluntary mediation meeting between those affected and those responsible, a joint clarification of the interpersonal conflict is sought.

Victims can get rid of their anger by acting independently and expressing their ideas. They can reduce anxiety and friction by giving those responsible the opportunity to explain the background and try to understand the needs of their counterpart.

In victim-offender mediation, immaterial and material compensation can also be agreed by those responsible (e.g. in the form of an apology and/or damages, compensation for pain and suffering, etc.). In the course of victim-offender mediation, a time-consuming and possibly expensive civil process can be avoided in many cases or an alternative to adhesion proceedings can be created.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, the following are active in the adult sector:
- the outpatient social service of the justice system
- the inpatient social service of the prison system and
- specialized independent specialist agencies as VOM specialist agencies

In the youth sector, victim-offender mediation is carried out by youth welfare agencies (youth welfare offices, independent youth welfare agencies).

Find help quickly

A wide range of information on victim-offender mediation is available on the website of the Ministry of Justice. The DBH e.V. service office for victim-offender mediation and conflict resolution also offers guidance