IARS Training Programme: Victim’s Voices and Restorative Justice in the European Union Directive IARS is delighted to offer a bespoke and evidence-based training programme for professionals, victims and other users of the criminal justice system on the Victims' Directive, due to be implemented by all member states by 16th November 2015. The training programme is the output of the two year EU funded project “Restorative Justice in Europe: Safeguarding Victims And Empowering Professionals”,(RJE) that aims to facilitate the implementation of the EU Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012, establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. DATES: Darlington- 29th April Central London- 8th and 29th May, 5th and 26th June and 3rd July. 1:30-4:30pm (Registration 1-1:30pm) Cost: £18 per person* Booking: If you would like to book or request training at a specified location, please contact Grace Loseby; g.loseby@iars.org.uk
“Gaining the insight of victims, offenders and practitioners will be important in considering how restorative justice practice can be made more effective for the public” Ministry of Justice, 2012
By November 2015, "Member States shall ensure that victims are recognised and treated in a respectful, sensitive, tailored, professional and non-discriminatory manner, in all contacts with victim support or restorative justice services or a competent authority, operating within the context of criminal proceedings” Article 1 Directive 2012/29/EU. “As a victim, I believe an increased uptake by victims relies strongly on the active implementation by practitioners of Article 12 [relating to Restorative Justice] of the Victims Directive. If victims feel empowered by the process, they will be more likely to participate in it, to the benefit of the victim, the offender and the community”. Gabrielle Browne, a victim of sexual assault and a member of the RJE Expert Advisory Group
Evidence–based training This training programme will be delivered across Europe and has been developed in collaboration with Ben Lyon, a Restorative Justice expert practitioner and researcher. RJE is funded under EC Grant Agreement JUST/2011-2012/JPEN/AG/2951 IARS, 159 Clapham Road, London, SW9 OPU, UK Tel: 0207 820 0945 Email: contact@iars.org.uk Company Limited by Guarantee, No 5348191 Registered Charity, No: 1124590
Improve professional skills
Aims to improve professional’s skills and knowledge on how victims are treated and interacted with.
Also provides professionals, agencies and services with the appropriate tools and best practice guidance to further develop cooperation among Restorative Justice services and national agencies.
“We hope that our support will encourage and empower Criminal Justice System agencies and their staff to assist you with your research and the piloting of RJE’s results. Once again thank you for your active engagement with the MoJ in progressing this important project that will help inform future restorative justice policy”. Ministry of Justice, 2012
In particular, it will cover the following areas:
Measures to ensure safety in providing Restorative Justice in the interest of the victim and the offender with the aim of improving victims' safeguards in Restorative Justice services, and the consistent implementation of minimum standards throughout Europe;
Resources and training programmes for professionals with the aim of improving skills and knowledge on how practitioners treat and interact with victims;
Guidance that will enhance multi-agency, cross-sector cooperation among Restorative Justice/victim services and national agencies with the aim of minimising the risks of secondary and repeat victimisation when interacting with victims.
The full training package includes: Face-to-face training with one and/or two RJE consultants Training manual, toolkit and accompanying documents Background to Victim’s Directive, with a focus on specific articles relating to Restorative Justice Personal reflection and group discussion on case studies showing practical examples IARS certificate of attendance Follow up, telephone support. *Seminars and online material will also be available online soon via the RJ4All platform. The programme is 80% subsidized by EU Grant Agreement JUST/2011-2012/JPEN/AG/2951. Delegates are expected to meet the 20% cost (i.e. £18). IARS members can claim 20% discount If you are interested in attending this training please contact Grace Loseby; Email: g.loseby@iars.org.uk Tel: 0207 820 0945 RJE is funded under EC Grant Agreement JUST/2011-2012/JPEN/AG/2951 IARS, 159 Clapham Road, London, SW9 OPU, UK Tel: 0207 820 0945 Email: contact@iars.org.uk Company Limited by Guarantee, No 5348191 Registered Charity, No: 1124590