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The Youth Justice Circle Program: Grey and Bruce, operates under the auspices of the Owen Sound & Area Family YMCA and hosts Justice Circles throughout Bruce and Grey Counties.
We've prepared some specific information for youth, as well as an introduction to the program for victims. We also invite both youth and adults from our community to contact us with any questions about the Justice Circle Program.
About Us
This YJC Program had a true ‘grass roots’ beginning in the late 1990’s when a group of concerned citizens and local agencies began to meet regularly to explore restorative justice alternatives to meet the needs of local youth involved with the criminal justice system.
Up and running since early 2002, the YJC Program accepts post-charge referrals from the Youth Justice Courts in Owen Sound and in Walkerton. Pre-charge referrals are accepted from seven local police services, including three OPP detachments. Referrals are also accepted from both the public and Catholic school boards. Participation in a Justice Circle is voluntary for both victim and offender. Young people entering the program must be accepting of responsibility for their part in the offense and demonstrating some level of remorse.
The YJC Program in Bruce and Grey adheres to the RCMP based Community Justice Forum model of program delivery. Within this model, formal justice circles bring victims and offenders together for a one time meeting in an effort to resolve the harm resulting from a criminal act. Under the guidance of trained volunteer facilitators, and in a safe and controlled setting, offenders, victims and their supporters discuss the offense, relate how they have all been affected and jointly develop a plan to ‘repair the harm’. This process allows for all of the individuals who have been directly (or indirectly) impacted by an offense to be involved in resolving the situation.
“Justice Circles are the most effective way I’ve found to meaningfully resolve even the most difficult of situations. Because the consequences are negotiated, all parties come away relieved with the sense that justice has been done."
"The victim and the young person in conflict with the law, or with the school community, are able to heal their wounds and get on with their lives. Lasting peace was the ultimate result in every Circle I’ve been involved in. I heartily endorse the process and have complete faith in its humane and personal way of putting an appropriate end to conflict of all kinds.”
Mark Ozorio, Vice Principal, Kincardine Secondary School
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