With a backlog of thousands of cases, the court system is struggling to keep up, leading to further harm to people affected by crime. In this blog, our Volunteer, Hillary Kwok, explores how RJ could begin to address the court backlog and reduce the harm it causes: https://ow.ly/W0tB50YIhxQ

We believe that people who commit crimes have the potential to turn their lives around. But many don’t get the support they need to do so. Restorative Justice allows them to acknowledge the harm they caused and make amends.

Why me? want to support the Government to fulfil their promise to "see how best we can bring out Restorative Justice programmes across the Ministry of Justice". In this blog, we share three priorities for change that would enable the Government to achieve this goal: https://ow.ly/2ov250YIhpb

As a small charity, we rely on the generosity of our supporters and donors. Making a donation is easy, and no matter the size, it will help victims of crime have their voices heard and make a real difference to their lives. https://donate.justgiving.com/charity/why-me/donation-amount

"The wow factor of Restorative Justice comes from seeing how it impacts the participants, the best way to communicate it is to provide meaningful accounts of how Restorative Justice changed participants’ lives for the better." Learn more: https://ow.ly/Qh7I50YF02S

Whether you are looking to branch into complex and sensitive delivery, or you want to refresh your knowledge with just the webinars, don't miss your chance to sign up today: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2149113

Have you been affected by crime? You may want to ask questions, explain the impact of the crime on your life, or ensure the person responsible doesn't offend again. Restorative Justice is flexible to your needs. It can take many forms, such as face to face, online, or through letters.

As one of the pioneers of Restorative Justice as an effective policing tool, Sir Charles Pollard believes that it is the duty of anyone who is a RJ professional, to communicate how effective it is. But what is the best way to talk about RJ? https://ow.ly/WhaC50YEZQ2

Did you know? Restorative Justice can be used for any type of crime - but it only goes ahead if both parties consent to taking part. The process must be completely voluntary.

The Restorative Justice Council have recently published their second report on the Post Office Scandal titled ‘Rebuilding Trust: Designing a Restorative Justice Programme with Those Harmed’. Read more: https://why-me.org/2026/new-rjc-report-the-post-office-scandal-and-restorative-justice

Keep in touch with us! Sign up to our newsletter and get full upcoming events, vacancies, volunteering, training courses and the latest news from the restorative sector straight to your inbox. https://ow.ly/thtg50YF0kA

You can now sign up for our 'Complex contexts and sensitive practices' training, running between April and June. Join Professor Tim Chapman for this innovative course, co-created with people who have been impacted by the crimes being discussed. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2149113

We're proud to feature in the Oral History Society Journal. In it, our Comms Manager, Keeva, is interviewed about our 'Damage and Repair' Project which captured the stories of 22 people who have been through RJ or played a key role in the sector. Thank you Dr Ruth Beecher & the OHS team.

Did you see us on BBC Crimewatch? We appeared on the show last week to spread the word about the power of Restorative Justice. If you missed it, you can catch up on the short clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRE8D3RbzwY

Do you want a new challenge? You could do a fundraising event for Why me? and support more people to access RJ - anything from a bike ride, to donations for a birthday, or fancy dress at work. If you're interested, contact us & we can support you with materials - including your own Why me? t-shirt!

Last week we featured on Crimewatch. Our Comms Manager, Keeva, was joined by our Ambassador Nick who shared his experience of meeting the man who killed his twin brother. Thank you to Nick for sharing, and to our Ambassador Will who was also consulted. https://ow.ly/Vs6u50YAGCF

Did you know that you can support Why me?'s work at no cost to you as you do your shopping? By signing up to Easyfundraising, you collect donations for us as you shop online. Please support us to continue our crucial work today: https://why-me.org/get-involved-2/support-us/fundraise-for-us/

Please nominate Why me? in The Benefact Group Movement for Good prize draw. It takes less than a minute, and every entry will give us the chance to receive a donation that will make a real difference to our work. Thank you for your support. https://movementforgood.com/draws/1000

A crucial part of explaining the benefits of RJ is sharing stories of people who have been through it. Our podcast Restorative Talks features these stories. You can listen on your favourite audio platform now. https://open.spotify.com/show/47hBhmd7qaGDbKDpBID03U

Last week was a busy one for our Ambassadors. Janika attended an in-person meeting with Lord Timpson, the Prisons Minister, to discuss ReHub and how to increase access to RJ. Nick also appeared on BBC Crimewatch to talk about his experience of Restorative Justice. https://ow.ly/5VZS50Yycsg

In order to widen access to Restorative Justice, it's crucial that there are no blanket bans on the types of crimes it can be used for. A risk assessment will ensure that it only takes place if it's safe. RJ can be transformative for people affected by all types of crime.

What do you think victims of crime need? How can we ensure that those needs are met? LAST CHANCE to sign up for our free, online forum tomorrow and get your voice heard as we consult on the Victims Code of Practice. Sign up: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2085360

Our RJ Programme Manager, Anika, attended a fantastic event yesterday hosted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Equally Ours. The day included vital discussions on how we can work together to support the implementation of human rights across the UK.

While the court process can issue a custodial sentence, victims are rarely asked what would make a difference to them. Restorative Justice gives people the chance to get meaningful justice, tailored to the needs of everyone involved. This leads to more repair, rehabilitation and positive change.

Victims of crime are often never told that Restorative Justice is an option. This needs to change and, right now, we have an opportunity to change it. Join us next week for our online forum on the Victims' Code - no prior knowledge needed. Sign up: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2085360

Are you interested in Restorative Justice or complex and sensitive training? We have now confirmed the dates for our next courses. Both are centred on the values behind Restorative Justice, co-designed and led by people who have been through the process themselves. https://ow.ly/bzBu50YsYwk

📢 Did you know that Why me? are appearing on BBC Crimewatch tomorrow? Tune into the show at 10:45am to see a segment featuring information about Restorative Justice and the story of one of our Ambassadors broadcast across the country. Watch this space!

Do you ever feel like people don’t understand the true value of Restorative Justice? Do you sometimes feel like you are shouting into a void? In our latest blog, we share three things to do, and three things to avoid, when communicating Restorative Justice. https://ow.ly/QviQ50YsY9F

Do you have a unique perspective on RJ? We welcome guest blogs, so why not get in touch? https://ow.ly/8pHp50YsXJy

Support from the corporate sector provides us with vital resources to expand our work and enables us to share the powerful tool of RJ, adding momentum to a growing movement to transform our justice system for the better. To find out more contact our CEO via [email protected].

“Why me?” was the question that drew Paul Kohler MP to Restorative Justice, after he and his family were attacked in their home. This blog shares the story of how Restorative Justice addressed Paul's three different dimensions of needs. https://ow.ly/yFUn50Yrnfk

In this guest blog, experienced facilitator Angie Kaye explores whether the restorative sector is "becoming more timid in our approach to risk?" In this blog, she shares the ways she believes risk-aversion to be impacting Restorative Justice: https://ow.ly/1ixG50YrmzW

We need your help to strengthen access to Restorative Justice and change the future of victims' rights. The Government are conducting a consultation on the Victims' Code. Why me?, on behalf of the MoJ are gathering the views of the sector to feed back in a shared response. https://ow.ly/g3ir50Yrm4A

For a small charity, every donor makes a real difference. Your donations will help us to empower more victims of crime to heal and move forward with their lives. https://ow.ly/Oawx50YoYHW

One of our core principles is to involve people who have been through RJ in the planning and delivery of our work. For example, the recent training we delivered was co-designed with experts by experience. We were joined by our Ambassador, Paul Kohler MP who shared his story with attendees.

Many people who have been affected by crime feel trapped in a cycle of trauma that they are unable to escape from. Restorative Justice has the power to change this.

Yesterday the Why me? team were in the office, enjoying the beginnings of spring and celebrating team birthdays! 🌻

What do victims of crime need? What rights should they be entitled to? How and when should they be given information about RJ? We are gathering the views of the restorative sector to inform the MoJ's consultation on the Victims' Code. Join us: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2085360

What's a Restorative Justice conference? A meeting between someone harmed by crime, the perpetrator, facilitators and supporters. They sit in a circle to discuss the crime's impact. It can end in an agreement on how to move forward. See how it works https://ow.ly/scWJ50YoYBC

Have you seen this Telegraph article featuring our Ambassador, Nick Dawson, sharing the story of how he met the man who murdered his identical twin brother, Simon? Nick's story is a testament to how transformative Restorative Justice can be. https://ow.ly/Mgvz50YpJ9v

The Home Secretary have announced that police will no longer be required to record or investigate non-crime hate incidents. At Why me?, we are concerned about the impact this will have on access to RJ: https://why-me.org/2026/the-end-of-hate-incidents-and-the-risk-to-restorative-justice/

Many people know that Restorative Justice is a dialogue between someone who caused harm & the person they harmed. But do you know how it works in practice? Restorative Justice often requires a long preparation process to ensure that everyone is safe and only after a thorough risk assessment.

Last week, we delivered our new 3 day RJ training course. It was lively and thought provoking, focusing on the values behind restorative work. We were delighted to be joined for a session by our Ambassador Paul Kohler MP, who shared insights from his journey through RJ after a serious crime.

The Government recently announced their consultation on the Victims' Code. Why me? will be gathering the views of the RJ sector on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. Don't miss your chance to help shape the future of victims' rights: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2085360

Unless Restorative Justice becomes widely available, replacing a punitive approach with a focus on rehabilitation, the Criminal Justice System will not escape this spiral into overcrowding and perpetual harm to everyone involved.

Have you read the EFRJ's magazine on 'Restorative Justice & Human Rights'? We have now received our print copies in the post! Featuring testimony from our Ambassadors, the magazine features thought-provoking content on what this human right could look like. https://ow.ly/CK7g50Yl5r1

Restorative Justice builds community. It helps the voices of everyone affected by crime to be heard and to find a resolution.

"I hugged him and said, 'I'm sorry you're the one who has to live with this'... I was able to understand it from all angles." Danielle O'Halloran met the young man who killed her 17-year-old daughter, Chloe, in a Restorative Justice meeting. Read more: https://ow.ly/p4Xt50YmYlf

Gisèle Pelicot, the survivor at the centre of France's biggest rape trial, was asked whether she would ever see her husband again. Gisèle said “I hope to do so, that’s also part of my way of rebuilding myself.” https://why-me.org/2026/gisele-pelicot-i-need-to-go-and-see-him-to-get-answers/

Why me? believes that victims should be at the heart of the justice system. But at the moment, they’re not. How can we widen access to Restorative Justice and help victims of crime to get their voices heard?