"Katie’s Story - Restorative Justice

"Katie’s Story - A Transformative Encounter: Exploring the Benefits of Restorative Justice After Being the Victim of a Street Robbery in the UK"

Introduction: Ken Kirwan

A couple of years ago at a crime prevention conference in Bristol I was in a workshop discussing inter-personal violence and crime. I was fascinated by the story of a delegate (who has wished to remain anonymous) who was a complainant in a knife street robbery where her phone and bag was stolen. She subsequently had the chance to undertake a meeting with the person who had robbed her as part of a restorative justice (RJ) programme. I have had permission from this delegate to relay her story as I found it really inciteful in relation to how RJ it can contribute to the emotional recovery and rehabilitation of both victims and offenders. For the benefit of this article, I have chosen to call the perpetrator as “Chris” and the delegate as “Katie”

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The Robbery

Three years ago, (2018) whilst returning from a business meeting in Leeds, I had missed a rail inter-connection and had time to spare. I had walked to an area where I was unfamiliar as I wanted to grab a coffee. I recalled I was speaking to my mum on the phone who at the time was very ill. I remember being very upset on the phone as it was clear her treatment was causing her some pain and I was so distracted, that I had completely lost my bearings.

I was suddenly pushed to the ground with great force from behind and I sprawled onto the pavement. The force of the blow and fall left me winded, and I had also banged my head against an “A” sign outside a shop. Someone was grabbing my arm and I initially thought they were trying to help me to my feet. I then felt my bag (which I had worn diagonally) was being wrenched from me. A male was swearing at me and was holding a large kitchen knife. I was transfixed by the knife and for what seemed like minutes the male could not pull the bag from my body as it was caught under one arm. Eventually, I think the strap broke and he grabbed my bag and my phone which was on the pavement. I saw the offender get onto the back of a moped driven by another male and they sped away.

The Aftermath

So, I became an unfortunate victim of a street robbery – and there will be some people reading this who will have experienced similar. I don’t know how other people deal with this so I can only relay what happened to me.

In the days that followed I experienced such a torrent of emotions. Initially I was angry with the perpetrator but also angry at myself. Why did I become so exposed by walking blithely in an area I didn’t know? Why did I not put up more of a fight? Why did nobody come to my assistance? Was I in some way culpable for my own victimhood?

I became very depressed and tearful. Four days later my mum died due to cancer complications, and I felt alone and very vulnerable. I was also frightened that the attacker would have obtained some personal details from my bag and purse. There was so much stuff in there including house and car keys, office keys, bank cards, bills with my details on. In short, my life was contained in this bag. I spent a long time changing all my keys, bank details and invested in a new SMART burglar alarm. I became very anxious and was prescribed some strong anti-depressants from the doctors. I hardly ever left the house. I also realised that a thank-you card my mother had given to me was in the bag and was the last thing she ever gave to me before she passed.

For many weeks, the robbery and the aftermath of the experience that left me not only physically shaken but also emotionally scarred. I did receive some news however, that the male who had robbed me had been arrested as they had obtained CCTV of the moped registration plate. At that time, my anxiety increased because the thought of appearing at court felt like I would have to live through the ordeal again. Weeks later I received a letter from the CPS stating that this male had pleaded guilty, and I was not required to give evidence. The relief that I did not have to go to court was overwhelming and yet the whole incident still weighed on my mind. I wanted to know why this male had targeted me and what had he done with my bag and contents. The police stated that they did not recover any of the stolen items.

The Opportunity

Suddenly, an unexpected opportunity for healing emerged through a restorative justice meeting with the perpetrator. I was not sure what this would entail but I was intrigued. When I checked online RJ was categorised as;

“a paradigm shift in the criminal justice system, emphasizing accountability, empathy, and the restoration of relationships between victims and offenders. It aims to address the harm caused by a crime by facilitating communication and understanding between the parties involved. Instead of focusing solely on punishment, restorative justice seeks to promote healing and rehabilitation”

The RJ Experience

This meeting, if I chose to take it, would happen at a probation office near Leeds. There would be a trained facilitator there as well as two probation officers. The male perpetrator (Chris) had asked specifically to meet me. He wanted to apologise for his actions personally and preferably, face to face (although I could have requested that he write to me instead)

A short time later the door of the meeting opened, and this male appeared. He was dressed in a grey hoodie and sweats and flanked by one of the probation officers. At once I was struck by how gaunt and of small stature this male was. I had paid no attention to him at the time of the robbery as my focus was on the knife he was holding but now, looking at him in the room, I wondered how he could have pushed me with such force at the time. He was heavily tattooed with many markings to face and neck and was bruised over one eye.

The facilitator introduced the male as "Chris". Chris produced a piece of paper where he related that he had been a heroin addict at the time of the offence and had robbed several people that day. He targeted anyone he thought was alone and that seemed to be well dressed. He was only after cash or any jewellery or phones he could sell quickly, and he threw away the bag and other contents. He then became terribly upset and started to cry.

The RJ meeting with Chris provided me with a unique opportunity to express the emotional toll the robbery had taken on my well-being. Through open and honest dialogue, I had the opportunity to share the fear, anxiety, and trauma I experienced during and after the incident. I told him about losing my mum and that he had stolen a precious item from me which was worthless to him but had meant the world to me. This process of articulating my emotions in the office to this sad male proved to be cathartic, offering a sense of closure and I felt empowered. I felt this male could no longer hurt me.

One of the most surprising aspects of the RJ meeting was the opportunity to hear Chris’s perspective. Learning about the underlying factors that led to his criminal actions humanised him in a way I had not anticipated. It became apparent that he became involved in criminal activities due to a complex set of circumstances, and this realisation brought forward some empathy from me rather than perpetual anger. I wanted him to turn his life around but whether this got home I could not tell.

My Truth

So for me I can only relate to a wholly positive experience of restorative justice but I accept it might not be for everyone. I feel it should be used more widely as it extends beyond the immediate parties involved and it has the potential to rebuild trust within the community. By acknowledging the harm caused and actively working towards restitution, the process can promote a sense of accountability that is absent in the traditional penal system in my opinion. Witnessing Chris take responsibility for his actions and commit to making amends instilled a newfound sense of confidence for me in the criminal justice system's ability to promote positive change. It also allowed me to get my life back on track.

Commentary – Ken Kirwan

Research has shown that restorative justice practices can contribute to lower rates of recidivism. By addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour and fostering personal responsibility, restorative justice encourages offenders to break free from the cycle of crime. In Katie’s case, hearing the perpetrator's genuine remorse and commitment to rehabilitation instilled hope that this experience could serve as a catalyst for positive change in both their lives. As the UK continues to explore innovative approaches to criminal justice, embracing restorative practices may prove instrumental in effectively supporting the victims of crimes to re-build their confidence.

That alone cannot be a bad thing.

Ken Kirwan - Editor for Eyes on Crime

If you want to know more about restorative Justice in the UK go to: https://restorativejustice.org.uk/what-restorative-justice