"Victim offender dialogues have been developed as a way to hold offenders
accountable to the person they have harmed and to give victims a voice about
how to put things right. Rooted in the practices of Native peoples,
'conferencing' addresses victims' discomfort with the idea of 'reconciliation.'
It avoids the connotation that victims may negotiate away their losses when
they hear the term 'mediation.' 'Conferencing' acknowledges the participatory
nature of the process. And it gives flexibility about who is included, making
room for members of the larger community if appropriate." --back cover