Approaching Mediation in Juvenile Court: Rationale and Methodological Aspects

Abstract

A program tending to organize mediation between delinquent and victim in one judicial area in the French Community in Belgium is explained. After having defined the legal and institutional framework, the psychological and criminological foundations of this new judicial measure are briefly analyzed. The perspective is rehabilitative. The possible benefits for the youth and his or her victim are described in the light of related literature. The chosen procedure focuses on the use of a video film intended to make the adolescent aware of the impact of his or her behavior on the victim.