The development of Victim-Offender Mediation in Sweden

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The development of Victim-Offender Mediation in
Sweden

• Maritha Jacobsson

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Legal system

• Retributive Justice
• Restorative Justice

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• 1997 First mediation acitivities
• 1998 Experiment activities
• National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå)
• 1998 Evaluation
• Commission on Mediation
• 2000 Recommendations for legislation
• 2002 Mediation Act
• 2003 Development of mediation activities
• 2008 Compulsory for all municipalities to offer
  mediation to young offenders (Social
  Service Act)

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Social Service Act (2008)

• It is compulsory for all municipalities in Sweden
  to offer Victim-Offender mediation to young
  offenders below the age of 21

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Mediation Act (Medlingslagen 2002445)

• Mediation organized by the state or
  municipalities
• The perpetrator of an offence should get
  increased insight concerning the consequences of
  the crime, and thereby reduce the liklihood of
  relapse into crime
• The victim should have the possibility to work
  through the feelings aroused by the offence
• The mediator should be impartial
• Mediation should be voluntary for both
  participants

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Mediation Act (Medlingslagen 2002445)

• The perpetrator should be over the age of 12
• The perpetrator should have accepted
  responsibility for the main elements of their
  offence
• The meeting should conclude with some form of
  agreement between the participants

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Young Offenders Act (LuL 1964167)

• Proscecutors should/can consider whether
  mediation has taken place or not when
  proscecuting a young offender
• The police should report to the social service
  when there is an offender below the age of 18 who
  is suspected for crime

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Stages in the mediation process

• Report to the police
• Ask the offender about interest for mediation
• The mediation activity is informed
• Proposal to the offender
• Proposal to the victim
• Pre-meetings
• Mediation
• Agreement

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Mediation in Sweden 2007

• 252 municipalities could offer mediation
• 159 mediation activities
• Mostly official workers (and laymen)
• (Brå 2007)

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Type of crime

• Shoplifting 30
• Assault 18
• Criminal damage, graffiti 16
• Stealing 12
• Threats and harassment 9
• (Brå 2007)

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Essence and consequencesVictim-offender
mediation in Sweden

• Maritha Jacobsson Lottie Wahlin
• 2008-2010
• Financed by The Crime Victim Compensation and
  Support Authority

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• maritha.jacobsson_at_socw.umu.se