Youth Victim-Offender Mediation

Brothers Lucas (13 years old) and Dario (15 years old) are typical teens who enjoy spending time with friends and playing sports. The brothers have a strong relationship with their mother, Theresa, who works hard to ensure they have everything they need. The family’s bond is important to all three members. When Lucas and Dario were arrested for retail theft at Walgreens, their first arrests, both cases were referred for mediation and they opted to participate in a joint session with their mother. The mediation session was scheduled on a Saturday morning to accommodate their school schedule and their mother, Theresa’s, work schedule.

During the mediation, the mediator observed that Lucas seemed disengaged and unwilling to participate. On the other hand, Dario was actively involved and communicative with the mediator and his family. The mediator's main challenge was to find a way to engage Lucas in the process. When asked about their thoughts on the incident, Lucas simply stated that he was bored and angry about being caught. Dario, on the other hand, admitted that they were bored and believed they wouldn't get caught, but he acknowledged that their actions were wrong and that they now had to face the consequences.

While Lucas was holding back, the mediator noticed that when he did speak, he mentioned the word "respect." When asked about the meaning of respect, it took both brothers a long time to respond. Dario defined respect as being taken seriously as a person, while Lucas struggled to provide a clear definition but mentioned wanting acknowledgment as a person. When asked if they felt respected during the arrest, both answered no. The mediator then asked if they respected their mother, to which they replied yes. The mediator emphasized that respect is a value and asked if they had any values they wanted to share. They mentioned respect, commitment, and family as some of their values.

When the mediator spoke to Theresa, she expressed surprise and disappointment. She said that she always makes sure her kids have everything they need and want, and considered herself a good mother and provider. She couldn't understand why her sons would engage in theft if they didn't have any need for it. After hearing this, the kids apologized to their mother and explained to her that it was just fun for them, and they didn't think about how this could affect her.

By the end of the session, Lucas, Dario and Theresa felt more comfortable and decided to write an agreement among themselves. Lucas and Dario agreed that they wanted to stay in school, and their mom agreed to help them get involved in sports activities they enjoy. The two brothers also agreed to consult with their mother and talk through good choices before taking actions. The mother expressed gratitude for the mediation, saying that it provided her with the opportunity to continue the conversation she started with her children when the incident occurred. The mediation allowed the family to find closure and move forward.