Restorative Justice

As mediators say, "blaming is a victim's game." Our criminal justice system, however, is mostly about punishment or retribution. Often times it is about keeping the public safe from individuals with a history of violence.

"Restorative Justice" aims to restore what is broken in the community by the bad act committed, and focuses on accountability and apologies.

Dispute Settlement Center offers a restorative justice option for juveniles through its victim-offender mediation program. Through it, young people who commit crimes such as vandalism can meet with their victims in safe environment mediators. It can be a powerful experience for all.

North Carolina is an unusual state in that juvenile court jurisdiction only goes to 16. In almost all states it is 18 or 17. This can be seen as harsh, as juvenile court jusridiction offers young people more services and a focus on rehabilitation.

Some people are working to change this. What do you think?

Face Time

I just heard a BBC story on research showing that being with people face-to-face has health benefits. Not surprising, "face time" has declined over the last 20 years as people spend time on the internet and with social media (as you and I are doing right now.)

Mediators have struggled with telephone mediation and on-line mediation (and many use this if it is the only way feasible) but generally conclude that face-to-face mediation is more useful and effective.

Have you ever gotten in to an email snit with someone, then easily worked it out in person?

Shout out to peer mediators

Today I met a woman who had been a peer mediator back in high school. She glowed when she talked about the great feeling it gave her to help her classmates by serving as a mediator. She remembers that it helped develop her leadership skills.

We provide peer mediation training in our local school systems and in area independent schools. We don't claim that we can prevent violence in schools, but according to a principal we worked with, "it can change the climate of a school."

Teachers are up against a lot these days. We've got a Conflict Resolution for Educators training coming up April 24th. Let us know if you'd like to sign up.

And hey, if you were a peer mediator in school what was it like for you? If you are one now, how's it going?

The Fog of Conflict

Most days at the Dispute Settlement Center we are fielding calls from people who are feeling a mix of anger, frustration, and confusion. They typically feel wronged or at least disrespected. They often feel a bit lost.

Callers aren't interested in what agency program they might fit in to, or what terms mediators might use to describe their situation. They are in the Fog of Conflict. What seems to help is clarifying with them what is important to them, and giving them some neutral outside perspective, mainly through asking careful open-ended questions.

I was in a difficult professional situation this past year. In my confusion, I was seeing one way out - straight ahead. My friend, acting as a neutral, reminded me of other perspectives, all of which I initially rejected. Over time, with her prodding, I came to see the other perspectives. Things began to make more sense, and I emerged from the Fog.

Not complicated stuff. But her skill (she's a trained and experienced mediator!) was just what I needed in order to emerge from the conflict feeling I had done my best.

Welcome to the Dispute Settlement Center's Blog!

We know that dispute resolution including mediation is a great field. US News and World Report has declared "Mediator" as one of the best careers for 2009.



In bad economic times, people need help with conflicts perhaps more than ever. While mediation is not a substitute when legal assistance is needed, working out your conflicts with a third party neutral, or learning how to do it yourself, can save money, time, and heart ache.



Have you used mediation before? Have your kids learned to be peer mediators? Are you in a conflict right now that you need help with?