VOLUNTEERS will act as go-betweens if victims and their attackers agree to meet face-to face.

So far ten unpaid “facilitators” have been trained to host the emotive discussions in Middlesbrough, one of 100 areas across the country introducing the one-year restorative justice pilot scheme.

"For lots of people in prison a victim is just a name or number on a piece of paper,” said volunteer Rebecca White, Project Worker at Tees Valley Housing. “I think this will have the biggest impact on the people who offend the most such as drug dealers. They are just in it for the profit but don’t think about the person at the bottom of the chain.”

People involved in antisocial behaviour or crimes can be considered for a restorative justice meeting, except those involving sexual assault or domestic violence. The offender must accept responsibility for the distress they have caused.

The three-day training course has been funded by Safer Middlesbrough Partnership and run by Unite, a not-for-profit organisation providing mediation services. It involved volunteers chairing various scenarios including when attackers, victims or their partners get upset or angry.

At the recent launch Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable, Sean White said the scheme could be used to resolve neighbour disputes, shoplifting offences, and keep young first-timers out of the justice system.

Volunteer Sandra Phillips, Chief Executive of West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust, added: “Restorative justice also has a big impact on victims as they get answers to their questions. If they have been burgled they might think “why me?" It can be comforting to know if it was completely random. It also gives them a bit of closure and helps them to move on.”

For more information visit www.unite-mediation.org