Victim-offender dialogues may help victims heal

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Victim-offender dialogues may help victims heal

At its heart, the criminal justice system is a mechanism for protecting rights, sanctioning misconduct and mitigating harm. The government, as the prosecutor, takes on the role of the aggrieved party on behalf of society. The aim is to uphold the rule of law, protect the interests of the public, and maintain order.  But victims in this process are often relegated to a secondary position. They often feel disconnected from proceedings and decision…