In 2023, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) sponsored the development of a nationally recognized training program to prepare facilitators to support survivors seeking a victim-centered, victim-driven dialogue with the incarcerated individuals who harmed them. Across the country, this post‑conviction service goes by various names, including Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD), Victim Offender Mediation (VOM), VOM/D, and Facilitated Dialogue. States structure these services differently: some agencies have full‑time staff dedicated to this work, others assign it as a collateral duty, and some rely on a mix of staff and volunteers or exclusively on trained community volunteers.
The training enables state departments of correction to better meet victim needs, foster healing, and allow incarcerated persons to actively participate in repairing the harm they caused. At the end of this learning experience students will be able to facilitate victim-offender dialogues safely, effectively, and compassionately by:
number these bullets:
• Describing and demonstrating an understanding of the 20 essential Principles of Post-Conviction Victim Offender Dialogue.
• Distinguishing between Victim/survivor-initiated and non-Victim/survivor-initiated scenarios.
• Describing the potential risks and benefits for Victims/survivors who participate in a VOD.
• Developing a victim-centered dialogue agenda that ensures victim impacts are effectively communicated to the offender.
• Describing circumstances when an offender is inappropriate for VOD.
• Describing how the human body reacts in stressful and unplanned situations.
• Providing trauma-informed care to VOD participants.
• Asking open-ended questions and listen effectively.
• Responding appropriately when a participant appears emotionally flooded or exhibits stress.
• Identifying, and demonstrating de-escalation, redirection, and reengagement techniques.
• Describing how and when to terminate a dialogue if coercive control or manipulative behaviors emerge.
• Recommending alternatives, when appropriate, in lieu of a dialogue.
• Giving examples of appropriate and inappropriate facilitator-participant roles and relationships.
The course is divided into three phases. The first two are provided by NIC and the third is provided by the sponsoring agency.
- Three, 6-hour virtual instructor-led training sessions.
- Four days (32-hours) in-person training,
- State specific laws, policies, regulations, on-the-job training, and mentorship.
VOD facilitation is not for everyone. Successful facilitators demonstrate strong empathy, curiosity, and excellent listening and communication skills. They engage in conversations involving serious and violent crimes and the intense emotions that accompany them. Experience working with both victims and offenders is beneficial, and the ability to understand and support victims of traumatic violence is especially important for this work.
Here are just a few examples of the backgrounds of past VOD trainees:
- Survivors
- Victim Service Providers
- Therapists
- Department of Corrections Victim Services personnel
- Laity-faith based
- Probation & Parole Officers (adult and juvenile)
- Correctional Officers (adult and juvenile)
- Community Reentry Team members (adult and juvenile)
- Justice-specialized court staff
- Mediators
- Interested community members