Participation in Victim-Offender Mediation Predicts Less Reoffending

A Propensity Score Matched Case-Control Study

Bibliographic Data

ID21308997
AuthorsJiska Jonas-van Dijk (0000-0002-9840-0525, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands, corresponding author), Sven Zebel (University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands), Jacques Claessen (Maastricht University, The Netherlands), J A A C Claessen (Maastricht University), Hans Nelen (Maastricht University, The Netherlands)
Year2025
Publication date2025-04-24
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCrime & Delinquency (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0011-1287 • E-ISSN: 1552-387X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00111287251335009
OpenAlexW4409773329
LanguageEN
References cited31

Previous research on victim-offender mediation (VOM) and reoffending rates often lack valid control groups and might suffer from a self-selection bias. Moreover, VOM’s role in the criminal justice system, particularly the effect on sanctioning, has not been considered in explaining the lower reoffending rates. This research addressed these gaps, by comparing four offender groups and using propensity score matching (N = 2,907): those who participated in VOM, those unwilling, those unable due to victim refusal, and those not referred. Results replicated that VOM participation predicts lower reoffending rates, primarily due to the mediation process itself rather than self-selection. While VOM reduced the likelihood of sanctions, this did not explain the observed decrease in reoffending rates

Computer security · Criminology · Injury prevention · Mediation · Medical emergency · Poison control · Political science · Propensity score matching · Recidivism · Suicide prevention · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Psychology · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology

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