It moves from blaming the offender to seeing how the victim and the community can assist the offender to cease offending. The direction of the conference changes at this stage. Information sharing and acceptance of responsibility allow all parties to turn to the issue of consequences for the offender and benefits for the victim and community. The natural consequence of helping the victim and the community is of course a benefit for the offender as well. The taking of responsibility by the offender allows the community to assist in endeavors to prevent re-offending.
Young persons receive special treatment under our law.
Since 1 November 1989 the manner in which Courts deal with them has changed. It is a basic change since it requires concentration upon a restorative justice system rather than a retributive or deterrent system. An essential part of this process is a negotiated community response at a family group conference. It is a system which operates in a vastly different way to that which courts are required to use in dealing with adult offenders. Material and symbolic reparations begin the process of restoration, but restoration means more than receiving compensation.