If you have been victim of an offence committed by a youth, and, after filing your complaint, the youth’s file was referred to the youth centre, a Youth Alternative Justice (YAJ) worker from Trajet will contact you to:
- inform you of the outcome of your complaint;
- answer your questions;
- get your opinion on the event and its consequences on you;
- find out your interest in speaking with the youth involved.
This gives you the opportunity to be heard and to be informed.It also offers you the chance to be involved in the judicial process by speaking with the youth through mediation or another means.
“Mediation allowed me to transform an experience that was only negative into an experience with some positive elements.”
The mediation process, whether it is direct or indirect, allows the youth and the victim to discuss the event, its consequences, and, if applicable, to come to an agreement on reparations. A professional and impartial mediator guides each party through the whole process, from preparation for mediation to follow-up on the agreement.
Here are some of the benefits of mediation according to victims:
“The experience was beneficial for me on several levels. First of all, I’d say it was a huge relief. I left the session feeling much lighter.”
“It allowed me to get past the image that I had of my attacker, and as a result, to get past a lot of the fear that I was feeling, particularly in terms of the risk of a repeat offence.”
“I received answers to many questions that were important to me and that only the youth could answer.”
“I had the opportunity to explain how his actions affected my partner and me and the impact they had and continue to have in our daily lives.”
“For the first time since the crime, I really felt like I had the right to speak. Being able to express myself was really a big help.”
“Mediation allowed me to transform an experience that was only negative into an experience with some positive elements.”