What is VOC?
Victim Offender Conferencing (VOC) is an opportunity for victims and offenders to meet, face to face, in a structured, secure environment to facilitate restoration, healing, reconciliation and/or restitution. Participation in VOC requires the consent of all parties. The meeting is organized and led by a neutral, trained, community volunteer who is present to facilitate the dialogue, not to make decisions or impose settlements.

Who are we?
Victim Offender Conferencing (VOC) started in Philadelphia through the Family Court Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) task force. VOC operates as a component of Good Shepherd Mediation Program, a community-based, non-profit neighborhood justice center. VOC addresses the unmet needs of victims of crimes and offenders.

What do we do?
VOC arranges and facilitates meetings between victims and offenders, and assists in finding answers to problems arising from the offense and in developing written restitution or alternative settlement agreements. When restitution is paid over a period of time, VOC may accept the payments from the offender and forward them to the victim. At no time will the offender have access to the victim's address or phone number.

• VOC is not counseling or therapy.
• VOC is not a forum for determining the guilt or innocence of the offender. The offender must admit involvement in the crime prior to being accepted into the VOC process.
• VOC does not result in a "judgement" or "decision" rendered by a judge.
• VOC is not a guarantee that an agreement will be reached or that restitution will be paid. We will do our best to assist, but ultimately fulfillment of the agreement depends on both parties' willingness to make it work.

Benefits for Victims
VOC is an opportunity for the persons who have been harmed to:

• Tell the offender how the incident affected them
• Directly and constructively express their feelings to the offender(s).
• Experience a sense of empowerment by having a direct voice and participating in the justice process
• Discuss restitution or an appropriate alternate settlement.

Benefits for Offenders
VOC is an opportunity for the offenders to:

• Explain their involvement in the offense.
• More fully understand the impact of this offense on the life of the victim(s).
• Take responsibility and convey regret.
• Have a direct voice and participate in the justice process.
• Offer to pay restitution or make amends.