The National Institute of Corrections recently hosted its Advanced Facilitated Dialogue training program. Twenty-four participants from fifteen agencies across ten states took part in the training, which consisted of a half day of virtual training followed by three days of in-person training at the National Corrections Academy in Aurora, Colorado (April 23, 29 - May 1, 2025). The program is designed to train experienced facilitators about the unique characteristics of cases involving sexual assault and techniques that can be used to aid survivors interested in having a victim-centered, victim-driven dialogue with the incarcerated person who caused them harm through sexual assault. Throughout the country, this type of post-conviction victim service process is referred to by many names, including victim offender dialogue (VOD), victim offender mediation (VOM), victim offender mediation/dialogue (VOMD), facilitated dialogue, and others.
The following agencies participated:
- Colorado Department of Corrections
- Colorado Department of Human Services
- Colorado Division of Youth Services
- Georgia Office of Victim Services
- Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles
- Kansas Department of Corrections
- Louisiana Dept of Corrections
- Maine Department of Corrections
- New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
- Oregon Department of Corrections
- South Carolina Department of Corrections
- South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Hay’s County District Attorney’s Office
- Wisconsin Department of Corrections
In addition, aligning with Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, on April 30th, participants took part in the annual Demin Day Campaign. This globally recognized movement originated in the aftermath of a 1998 ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, which overturned a rape conviction. The justices argued that because the teenage victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have assisted in removing them — implying consent. The following day, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work in protest, standing in solidarity with the victim.
The new skills learned throughout Advanced Facilitated Dialogue training will assist participants in raising awareness about sexual violence, challenge victim-blaming attitudes, and help support survivors of sexual assault.
