New directions are emerging in crime prevention and criminal justice that empower victims and get them involved in the justice system. In the case of crime prevention, Roach says people must look beyond better locks on their homes and Neighbourhood Watch to programs that intervene in people's lives before their offences become more serious. For example, programs that target school bullies could be implemented to try to change their behavior through a combination of interventions at school and through the family. Roach is also examining ways to involve victims in the justice process for crimes that are high in volume and relatively low in severity like property damage, creating a disturbance and vandalism. These are based on mediation where the victim, the offender, mediators and others come together, talk about the consequences of the crime and devise a strategy to recognize and move beyond it.
Roach cites similar mediation programs in Australia that have been successful.
There is evidence in Australia that this process may do a better job of getting offenders to change their ways and may leave victims more satisfied than prosecution.