A new organisation for victims of crime launches in Waterstones Piccadilly, London tomorrow (Tuesday 13th May) at 6.30pm. Why Me is calling for the right of all victims of crime to take part in Restorative Justice (RJ).

The evening will also launch a provocative new book featuring the RJ process, The Damage Done - the life story of former criminal Peter Woolf and his transformation from a life of drugs, crime & violence to that of a law abiding, honest citizen making amends for his past misdeeds (attached).

Speakers include the former Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer and Baroness Tessa Blackstone. Also shown at the launch will be a new short YouTube film The Woolf Within, telling the story of the crime and the face-to-face meeting which brought Will and Peter together.

The new organisation has been set up by, and for, victims of crime who have benefited from their experience of RJ and want others to be able to benefit from the same opportunity. Their vision is that an RJ process should be available for all victims of crime who want it.

Chair and founder is Will Riley, a London householder who was burgled and seriously assaulted by Peter Woolf. The two subsequently met face-to-face in a dramatic RJ conference. Peter was shamed and stunned by the face-to-face meeting, such that he committed himself to making amends and has since that day undertaken a complete transformation in his life.

RJ meetings primarily focus on the victim, allowing them to ask questions such as ‘Why did you pick on me?’, ‘what did you do with my property that you stole?’ and ‘what are you going to do about it now?’ Answers to these questions are crucial for victims of crime if they are to move on and overcome their fears. “

Independent research shows overwhelmingly how effective RJ can be:

Slashes reoffending rates by up to a half

Over eight of ten of victims feel that meeting their offender is a positive experience

Almost eight of ten would recommend the process to others.

This contrasts with the traditional justice system where less than one in three who become crime victims are satisfied with how they are treated.

Why Me is supported by the Restorative Justice Consortium, and by SmartJustice which campaigns for community responses to crime.

Will Riley, Chair of Why Me said:

“In a court of law victims just sit in the public gallery. They are most affected by the crime, and the least involved in the process. This is quite wrong. Victims also need to have the opportunity – the right – to meet or communicate with the person who harmed them, ask questions they want answered and hold them personally accountable for the harm they have caused.”

Peter Woolf, author of The Damage Done, said:

“That meeting implemented huge change in my life and it helped Will. We are friends now. I can’t give gratitude enough for what the RJ process did. It made me see what harm I was doing to everyone else. And it inspired Will to set up Why Me. I want to help it succeed in any way I can.”

Sir Charles Pollard, former Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police and Vice-Chairman of Why Me said:

“Will and Peter are not an isolated case. I’ve seen this process work many times and can see first hand that it gives them their life back and often changes offending behaviour.”

Lucie Russell, Director of SmartJustice said:

“Restorative Justice puts victims right at the centre of the criminal justice process. They get the opportunity to confront the offender and the offender is faced with the impact of their crimes head on. This is what happened to Peter and Will and it changed their lives for ever. “

Harriet Bailey, Chief Executive of the Restorative Justice Consortium, said:

“Why Me voices the experience of victims of crime who have taken part in RJ. We hope this will encourage policy makers, but also other victims of crime to understand the need for wider provision of RJ so all victims can benefit.

ENDS

For more information and interviews contact:

Lucie Russell, SmartJustice 0207 689 7734 or 07931 507873

Sinead Hanks, SmartJustice 07931 380 952

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The joint launch of Why Me and The Damage Done will take place at Waterstones, Piccadilly, at 6.30 pm on Tue 13 May 2008. Speakers include Lord Charles Falconer of Thoroton, former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice; Baroness Tessa Blackstone, former Minister and Patron of Why Me; Sally Gaminara, Director of Transworld Publishers, publishers of the book; and Peter Woolf and Will Riley.

2. Also shown at the launch will be a new eight minute YouTube film The Woolf Within, telling the story of the crime and the face-to-face meeting which brought Will and Peter together, leading to The Damage Done and Why Me.

3. This Press Release should be read in conjunction with a press release already circulated by Patsy Irwin, Publicity Director of Transworld Publishers (see attachment)

4. SmartJustice campaigns for and promotes community based solutions to crime. It is based at the Prison Reform Trust and supported by the Network for Social Change, the group behind the Jubilee 2000 Drop the Debt Campaign, and the Big Lottery Fund. For more info call Lucie or Sinead on 020 7689 7734.

5. The Restorative Justice Consortium is the independent umbrella body for restorative justice in England and Wales. 150 members include both organisations and individuals delivering restorative justice processes. For more info call Harriet on 020 7653 1992 or 07903 778 252

6. Evidence on Victim satisfaction source:

Ministry of Justice report June 2007

7. Evidence on reoffending rates by up to 56% source:

(‘Restorative Justice – the Evidence’ - Sherman& Strang 2007, the Smith Institute)