Victim Offender Dialogue

Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) is a process in which the victim of a crime, or the surviving family members, and the offender who committed the offense meet face-to face in a safe and structured setting with a trained facilitator present.  There is extensive preparation for all parties involved before meeting face-to-face.

A victim may be interested in meeting with the person who harmed him or her.   Often, victims have questions only the offender can answer---questions such as “What actually happened?" “Why did you choose me?” “What were my loved one’s last words?”  Victims may want to tell the offender how their lives have been affected by the offender’s criminal behavior and how they feel about the crime.

Offenders may want to apologize to the victims and express remorse for their actions.  Answering questions is one way the offender can attempt to make amends to the victim.

Dalogues are considered only at the request of the victim.  An offender cannot initiate or request a dialogue.

Victims who are interested in engaging in the VOD process should contact the Victim Assistance Program, 800.657.3830, or the Restorative Justice Unit, 651.361.7111.  Staff will contact the offender’s supervising agent to determine if the offender has the capacity and willingness to take part in a VOD.  If so, staff will then contact the offender directly to discuss the VOD process and assess his or her interest in participating in VOD.

If all parties are agreeable, the case will be assigned to trained VOD facilitators.  The facilitators meet with the victim and offender separately over several weeks or months. Support persons may also participate.  Once the preparation phase has been successfully completed and all necessary arrangements made, the parties will meet face-to-face at a correctional facility or field services office (if the offender is on supervised release). If a face-to-face meeting is not agreeable to the parties involved, there are other options for communication to take place.  Contact Contact Lydia Newlin at 651.361.7249