Experiences related to victim offender mediation in juvenile justice as an intervention strategy in a pre-trial diversion programme

Abstract

The experiences of victims, juvenile offenders and pre-trial diversion officers (social workers) in victim offender mediation intervention applied in a newly implemented pre-trial diversion programme in Harare Province, Zimbabwe were unknown. Therefore, using the qualitative research approach, this study explored and described the experiences of the victims, juvenile offenders and pre-trial diversion officers with victim offender mediation as an intervention in a pre-trial diversion programme in Harare Province, Zimbabwe. A purposive sampling method was followed to select samples from the three target populations, that is, victims, juvenile offenders and pre-trial diversion officers. Data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed using Tesch’s eight steps, as cited by Creswell (2009:186). Trustworthiness of the research findings was ensured using Lincoln and Guba’s model (Krefting, 1991:214-222). The findings of the study revealed that victims and juvenile offenders welcomed an opportunity to face each other, tell their stories, express their feelings and negotiate an amicable solution. The findings also revealed that pre-trial diversion officers played essential roles to prepare victims and juvenile offenders and mediate between them to enable them reach amicable solutions.