Success Stories

CJP strives to bridge the gap between victims and offenders to facilitate understanding, accountability, forgiveness, acceptance and reparation.

Breaking, Entering and Assault Case

On the night of June 13, 2021, Ryan stumbled through the dark streets of his neighborhood, disoriented and heavily intoxicated. Mistaking a neighbor's house for his own, he banged on the door shouting to be let in. Inside, Harry was jolted awake by the noise. Alarmed and confused, Harry tried to tell Ryan to leave, but Ryan persisted. When Harry cracked open the door to confront the stranger, Ryan forced his way inside, leading to a physical altercation. Fearing for his safety, Harry grabbed a baseball bat from his bedroom and struck Ryan, giving him the chance to call 911. 

Hockey Case

After a brutal on-ice hit in a no contact league, Justin and Ben found themselves grappling with loss. Ben was sidelined by a serious concussion, and Justin, haunted by guilt. Through the Collaborative Justice Program, they faced each other initially filled with anger and shame. Through an honest and difficult guided conversation, they uncovered shared pain and loss. Ben, initially doubtful of reconciliation, began to understand Justin’s troubled past, and Justin offered restitution, deeply remorseful for his actions. In a final act of healing, they drafted a league code of conduct to prevent future violence, pushing for real consequences to protect players. Their journey turned tragedy into a purpose-driven legacy for safer play, allowing each to pursue a hopeful, if scarred, path forward.

Neighbourhood Vandalism

One night, a group of very intoxicated young men terrorized a neighbourhood by throwing rocks through windows, dropping boulders on cars, spray painting vulgar and racist messages on garage doors, play structures and park benches. Naturally, many families were frightened and outraged by what happened in this otherwise peaceful, safe neighbourhood. The young men charged with these offences felt terrible about their actions and committed to making things right with the people they had harmed. Through facilitated communication, each of the victims participating chose to hold the boys accountable in different ways.

This included asking for and receiving explanations, letters of apology, financial compensation and the boys also completed volunteer work. CJP presented at a town hall meeting to update the broader community regarding what had been done to address the harm and to assuage any lingering fears. Everyone involved felt much better as a result of their participation and were grateful for the opportunity.

Assault with a Weapon

I was involved in an unfortunate incident months ago which resulted in criminal charges brought against me. I’m a middle age professional, hardworking, responsible, family oriented, and engaged in the community that has never been involved in disputes like that, let alone with the police.

Out of frustration of experiencing the same noise situation for the last 7 years, I made a mistake when I let my anger control my actions. After this happened, a new chapter started in my life. First came the extreme worry for the well-being of 2 individuals that suffered because of what I did, and then, the feeling that ‘everything was over for me’, a mix of shame, regret, and lack of hope.

Soon after the incident I contacted a lawyer to represent me. I was in good hands but felt that only the ‘legal’ side of things was being taken care of, not the ‘human side’ of the situation: the side that included all affected by the incident.

Fortunately, eventually I got involved with the Collaborative Justice Program. Actually I think the word ‘fortunately’ can not really express I mean...getting involved with the Program has really made a big difference in my life and I believe in the lives of the other people involved. The restorative approach was really effective; in my case it provided me the opportunity to apologize to victims (in writing) and ask them what I could do to help them. It led me to seek assistance in addressing and learning techniques to manage anger. And it helped me to be a more compassionate person overall.

Break and Enter

I am writing on behalf of myself, my husband and our children. The purpose of this letter is to state, for the record, how very impressed we are with the Collaborative Justice Program (CJP) and with the two staff we’ve had contact with in the course of our involvement.

We became aware of the program after we received a letter from CJP informing us of the opportunity to participate following a robbery.

Everything about the process, the initial meeting with our caseworker and our family, the ongoing communication, the meeting with the accused, and the subsequent updates from CJP has been excellent.

The biggest benefit is that, as a family, we have received understanding, support, the chance to process the effect of the crime on our lives, and the opportunity to meet with the accused to say and hear what needed to be said and heard.

This is an experience of closure to the episode that the traditional criminal process does not offer. We believe that the benefits are tremendously significant– to us and to the perpetrator, and more broadly, and perhaps more importantly, to our community and society.

We wish to state our unqualified support for this most valuable program. We would be happy and eager to do anything we can to promote ongoing funding for the Collaborative Justice Program.

Impaired Driving Causing Death

I wish to thank you for involving me in the Collaborative Justice Program. Its emphasis on the restorative aspects of justice offers a marked and positive contrast to the generally negative experience provided by the criminal justice system for the parties involved.

The system, as it currently exists, offers little opportunity for the voice of the victim to be heard. This can have the effect of making the victim feel marginalized and exacerbate the sense of injury.

I believe in the importance of victims being given an opportunity to explain their feelings and position, directly and indirectly. In my experience, victims have an overwhelming need to know that the person responsible for their suffering understands the nature and extent of what has been inflicted on them. They need to see some comprehension by the perpetrator of the degree and scope of the harm done. For many, recognition and an indication of remorse are far more important than punishment.

Break and Enter, Theft

Following a night of Break and Enters and theft while intoxicated, Daniel was arrested and charged with 16 multiple counts. He was held in a closed custody facility prior to sentencing.

The Crown's initial position was for 10 months closed custody, two months open custody, followed by Probation. All of this would be on top of any time already served.

Daniel’s case was referred to The Collaborative Justice Program following an interest in restoring the relationship between himself and those he harmed.