The formal caution takes the form of a family group conference, but these conferences differ significantly from those in the New Zealand model. The victim is central to the Wagga Wagga model and is allowed to bring whomever is required for support during a cautioning conference. The Wagga Wagga model draws upon Braithwaite's theory of reintegrative shaming. It is important that the concept of shame being used here is not confused with the concept of stigma. Shaming involves an acknowledgement of regret for the offence.
Stigmatisation involves a criticism of the offender.
Traditional cautioning schemes, in our understanding, stigmatise the offender by criticising their personal failings. The family group conference, on the other hand, encourages the process by which a young offender is accepted back into the community of peers or relatives. This reintegration begins as soon as offenders begin to understand the ramifications of their offending actions. The offender is encouraged to experience empathy for the victim. This empathy is almost invariably reciprocated by the victim, to whom the effects of a dysfunctional family on an offender are often painfully obvious.