We believe justice not only requires a fair and appropriate response to people who commit crimes; it also requires helping victims of crime rebuild their lives. We call this vision Parallel Justice for victims of crime.
“The concept of Parallel Justice changes the paradigm. Instead of asking victims to seek justice solely through the criminal justice process, we instead ask victims to define the problems they face. Then government, partnering with the community, does its best to address those problems. In this new world, there would be a victim-oriented justice process that would kick in with the occurrence of a crime and attend to the needs of victims of all crime, violent and non-violent. Offenders, communities, and society at large would be asked to help victims rebuild their lives – to help reintegrate victims back into productive community life.” –Susan Herman, former Executive Director, National Center for Victims of Crime.
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Guiding Principles of Parallel Justice
- Justice requires helping victims of crime rebuild their lives.
- All victims deserve justice.
- All victims should be presumed credible unless there is reason to believe otherwise.
- Victims’ safety should be a top priority.
- Victims should experience no further harm.
- Victims’ rights should be implemented and enforced.
- Victims should have opportunities to talk about their experiences and their needs.
- Victims should be told that what happened to them was wrong, and that every effort will be made to help them rebuild their lives.
- Victims’ needs should be addressed through a comprehensive, coordinated communal response.
- Decisions about how to address victims’ needs should be based on sound information and research.
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