The shift in focus to restorative justice over the last several years has lead to an increased interest in having offenders apologize to their victims.
Apologies are good.
For some victims an apology is another step in their reconstruction. Many victims want to hear the offender apologize. But the how, when, if and why of the apology are extremely important in addressing the needs of victims and in preserving the integrity of the apology. The needs of offenders often initiate the offer of an apology. The process of devising and delivering an apology can have a rehabilitative effect upon offenders.