Why take a victim impact panel online?
Empowering victims
Victim impact panels provide an opportunity for victims of crime to share their experiences and the emotional, physical, and financial impact of the crime on their lives. By giving victims a platform to express themselves, they regain a sense of power and control over their own narratives.
Raising Awareness
A victim impact class raises awareness among offenders and the community about the real-life consequences of criminal behavior. Hearing directly from victims about the harm they have suffered can have a powerful impact on offenders, promoting empathy and potentially deterring future criminal behavior.
Promoting Accountability
By attending a victim impact panel online, offenders come face-to-face with the individuals they have harmed and bear witness to the pain and suffering caused by their actions. This experience can help foster a sense of accountability and responsibility for their behavior.
Restorative Justice
Victim impact panels are often a component of restorative justice programs, which seek to repair the harm caused by crime by involving all stakeholders—victims, offenders, and the community—in the justice process. Victim impact panels provide a platform for victims to participate in the restorative justice process, allowing them to have a voice and contribute to the resolution and healing process.