Victim awareness and the needs of victims of crime are a major societal concern. What Have I Done? is a photocopiable resource and downloadable online content to encourage empathy in young people who commit crimes or hurt others through their actions. It is designed to be used directly with young people who have committed a specific crime or caused harm and distress to others through their actions, and challenges the young person to face the harm they have caused and consider what they can do to help put things right.
The course is flexible and interactive, and can be used on an individual basis or with small groups, and is suitable for young people with limited literacy. The exercises are challenging, and aim to be engaging through the use of creative arts, film, role-play and discussion. Clear guidance is provided for the course leader, and evaluation is built into the course, including a psychometric test. A downloadable online content to help stimulate discussion is also included.
What Have I Done? will be ideal for victim empathy work in Youth Offending Teams and Young Offender Institutions, and can equally be used in schools, children's homes, youth groups and any context with young people. The programme is measurable, featuring pre- and post-programme empathy scales, and is suitable for young offenders subject to a youth rehabilitation order.
Section I: Theoretical and Practical Background. Who is this workbook for? What is victim empathy? Victim empathy and reparation. Victim empathy and the restorative process. Restorative principles and values. Terminology. Notes for facilitators. Assessment for suitability. Groupwork. Course structure. Homework. Example timetables, structures and timings. Section II: Getting Started. Pre and Post Victim Empathy Scales. Expectations: What I need to work well. Section III: The Modules. Module 1: Thinking about what I did. Module 2: Thinking about the person I hurt. Module 3: Thinking about who else I affected. Module 4: My chance to put things right. Template 1: Values Coin. Template 2: Feelings Faces. Template 3: Thought and Feelings Bubbles. Template 4: Human Figure. Template 5: Anger Cards. Evaluation questionnaire. Pre and post victim empathy scales
Online video: Module 1 - Thinking about what I did. Module 2 - Thinking about the person I hurt. Module 3 - Thinking about who else I affected. Module 4 - My chance to put things right.
'Realising how we affect others is an integral part of growing up, and acknowledging that young people have a huge capacity for change should be part of how we support them and their victims. This book successfully examines how young people react to their offending behaviour and how they can effectively address this while learning to take alternative actions in the future to avoid such negative outcomes.'
