Victimology and Justice: Comparing Retributive and Restorative Justice in Society’s Perspective”

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This essay requires you to explore societal perspectives of victims and critically compare retributive and restorative justice. Follow these structured steps to craft a comprehensive, well-organized paper.

1. Introduction: Set the Stage

• Begin with Context: Provide a brief introduction to victimology and the evolution of society’s perspective on victims over time. Mention how perceptions of victims have shifted from being seen as passive subjects of crime to active participants in the justice process.
• Thesis Statement: State the central focus of your paper: comparing retributive and restorative justice, and evaluating which one might offer more satisfaction to victims. Introduce the key texts you’ll refer to in your discussion.

2. Evolution of Society’s Perspective on Victims

• Historical Shift: Discuss how society’s view of victims has evolved. In earlier times, victims were often overlooked in the criminal justice process, with emphasis placed on punishment for the offender. Over time, a growing recognition of victim rights and support systems began to shape society’s perspective.
• Victimology Development: Refer to the works of Mawby & Walklate (1994) and Malsch & Kaptein (2017) to demonstrate how victimology as a field has emerged, advocating for better recognition and support for victims. Mention the role of critical victimology in challenging traditional narratives and pushing for victim-centered justice.

3. Comparing Retributive and Restorative Justice

• Retributive Justice:
  • Definition and Key Principles: Define retributive justice as a system focused on punishing the offender to the extent of their wrongdoing. The goal is to ensure justice through proportional punishment, as reflected in the works of Constanzo & Krauss (2021).
  • Key Characteristics: Discuss the focus on legal punishment and societal deterrence, with minimal consideration for the victim’s emotional or restorative needs.
• Restorative Justice:
  • Definition and Key Principles: Define restorative justice as a model that emphasizes repairing harm and restoring relationships between the victim, offender, and community. Highlight the collaborative process that includes victim input in determining restitution and reconciliation.
  • Key Characteristics: Emphasize how restorative justice focuses on victim satisfaction, healing, and offender accountability through dialogue and community involvement.

4. Victim Satisfaction in Retributive vs. Restorative Justice

• Retributive Justice and Victim Satisfaction: Discuss the extent to which retributive justice offers satisfaction to victims. Address the drawbacks, such as feelings of disempowerment, lack of emotional closure, or continued alienation from the offender.
• Restorative Justice and Victim Satisfaction: Examine how restorative justice might offer greater satisfaction, focusing on emotional healing, closure, and empowerment for victims through direct involvement in the justice process. Refer to Malsch & Kaptein (2017) and their argument about the potential of restorative justice to address victim needs more effectively.
• Comparison of Satisfaction: Compare the two models and argue whether one is more likely to lead to victim satisfaction. Consider the context in which each model works best (e.g., for violent crimes versus minor offenses) and how victim satisfaction varies across different scenarios.

5. Conclusion: Draw Your Final Insights

• Summarize Key Points: Briefly recap the key differences between retributive and restorative justice, emphasizing how the societal view of victims has changed. Mention the specific advantages of restorative justice in meeting victims’ emotional and psychological needs.
• Final Reflection: Conclude with a reflection on how the justice system can evolve further to prioritize victim needs while ensuring fairness and accountability for offenders. Mention potential policy changes that could bridge the gap between retributive and restorative justice.

6. References and APA Formatting

• Include Your References: Ensure that all the texts you’ve cited, including Constanzo & Krauss (2021), Mawby & Walklate (1994), and Malsch & Kaptein (2017), are properly referenced in APA 7th edition format.
• Check for Proper Citation: Double-check that all in-text citations are appropriately linked to the references page, ensuring full APA compliance.