Victim Impact Panels and Restorative Justice: Impacts on Empathy in People Charged with DUIs

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

I report on the experiences of participants of a restorative justice-based victim impact panel for people charged with operating vehicles while under the influence. This research is part of a multi-method evaluation of over 300 program attendees charged with operating vehicles while under the influence in rural Wisconsin in 2023. Quantitative results included a significant increase in four measures of empathy from pre-post tests. Qualitative findings include an increased sense of community belonging, intent on reducing risk behaviors related to substance use, and recognition of the impact of operating vehicles while under the influence has on their social networks and reputation.

Author

• Jacob Robert Otis, University of Minnesota