Today, some VOM programs are identified as VORPs, although as the field has become increasingly victim-sensitive most programs have dropped any reference to reconciliation. The intent is to provide a safe place for dialogue, negotiation, and problem solving to foster a sense of victim empowerment and to clarify future expectations rather than place blame for past behavior. Major emphasis is placed on having the mediator conduct in-person, separate premediation sessions with the victim and offender prior to bringing them together. Thorough preparation of the parties is central to creating a safe place for dialogue. In some programs, cases are referred to VOM as a diversion from prosecution, assuming the mediation agreement is successfully completed.
Some programs receive case referrals at both the diversion and post-adjudication levels.
Most cases are referred from the juvenile justice system, although some programs also receive referrals from the adult criminal justice system. Judges, probation officers, victim advocates, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and police officers can make referrals to VOM programs. In all cases, however, victim participation should be entirely voluntary. Mediation is being used in an increasing number of conflict situations, such as divorce and child custody cases, community disputes, commercial disputes, and other civil court-related conflicts. In such settings, the parties are called disputants, and the assumption is that both are contributing to the conflict and, therefore, need to compromise to reach a settlement.