Restorative Justice Program
Through the various initiatives of this program, Conflict Mediation Services of Downsview provides education and training for volunteer mediators, and conflict mediation for individuals involved with the Criminal Justice System. CMS-D accepts referrals for mediation at any stage of the process -- from Police, Crown Attorneys, Defense Counsel, Judges, Probation/Parole Officers and other concerned individuals. The program is flexible and adaptable to the procedures at the various stages of the Criminal Justice System.
Our training and workshops are designed to empower community members with the skills to help others to resolve conflict. We believe that the responsibility for conflict resolution lies with the individuals involved and the community in which they live.
Training
Victim Offender Dialogue and Conferencing Training
Youth Justice Committee
Restorative Justice Youth Program
Justice Committee Private Information Court
Additional Workshops and Training
Victim Offender Dialogue and Conferencing Training: This 28 hour training focuses on the history and philosophy of restorative justice as it pertains to mediation and how it relates to the criminal justice system. Participants will explore typical victim and offender concerns, assessment, case development, and facilitating the mediation process. Guest speakers give insight into the Criminal Justice field. The mediation and conferencing processes will be reviewed and then practiced through simulated role plays.
Victim Offender Dialogue offers a different way of dealing with the aftermath of crime. The process provides an opportunity for victim and offender to meet face to face in the presence of trained mediators, in order to address and find a mutually satisfying solution to the offence and its effects. Both parties have an opportunity to discuss the crime, express their feelings and create an appropriate agreement. In cases where mediation is not suitable or the second party is not interested in participating, CMS-D volunteers are available to offer support by listening, providing encouragement and linking individuals with appropriate referrals to other services. In cases where more parties are involved, a community conferencing model may be utilized.
Youth Justice Committee: CMS-D utilizes mediation to facilitate meetings between victims and young offenders between the ages 12- 17 who have been referred by the courts.
Restorative Justice Youth Program: CMS-D utilizes mediation and conferencing to facilitate dialogue between victims and youth between the ages 12-17 who have been sentenced to a period of probation and have been referred by probation officers.
Justice Committee: CMS-D utilizes mediation to facilitate meetings between victims and offenders between ages 18-24 who have been referred by the courts.
Private Information Court: CMS-D utilizes mediation to facilitate meetings between parties involved in private prosecutions which have been referred by court.
Additional Workshops and Training: The Restorative Justice Program offers additional trainings and workshops as funding permits. Volunteers are required to attend at least two and as many Role Play/ Information Nights as they would like to attend in a year. CMS-D also offers other training and workshops on conflict resolution techniques for a variety of different situations. Each workshop is customized for the particular audience that is to be addressed. Please see the Training and Consulting section of the website.