The power of restorative apologies (real and imagined) for victims and offenders
Shame can be felt after causing harm and after being harmed by wrongdoing. Failure to address shame can increase the possibility of the victim-offender overlap, making victims more likely to offend and offenders more likely to be victimized. An online, individually applied, restorative apol...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Victimology Society of Serbia and University of Belgrade, Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation
2017-01-01
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| Series: | Temida |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-6637/2017/1450-66371703435W.pdf |
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| Summary: | Shame can be felt after causing harm and after being harmed by wrongdoing.
Failure to address shame can increase the possibility of the victim-offender
overlap, making victims more likely to offend and offenders more likely to be
victimized. An online, individually applied, restorative apology process
could help prevent the victim-offender overlap by helping heal harm. People
who have caused harm are given the opportunity to be accountable and explore
how they might help repair damage they have caused, while those harmed can
address any violation and shame felt. Anecdotal evidence indicates
restorative apologies delivered either personally, or only imagined, can help
individuals heal from harm and trauma. Open access to restorative apology
processes is provided at www.apologyletter.org. The purpose of this paper is
to show how the confidential apology program can help people address harm and
shame. Appendices A and B provide an imagined apology exercise and guidelines
for preparing a combined apology and gratitude letter, which can assist
individuals affected by wrongdoing. |
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| ISSN: | 1450-6637 2406-0941 |