The Power of Corrective Emotional Experiences in Victim-Offender Mediation with Cailey Strauss

RESOLVing Violence

In today's episode of the Resolving Violence podcast, we welcome back Cailey Strauss and delve deeper into her dissertation findings on victim-offender mediation (VOM). But before we get into the main topic, we address the important issue of colonial appropriation of restorative justice, as discussed in Cailey's research. We explore how indigenous justice practices have been repackaged and appropriated under the name of restorative justice without proper acknowledgement of their origins.
The concept of corrective emotional experiences is highlighted in the episode, which refers to the transformative outcomes that challenge individuals' assumptions through the experience of a new and positive relational dynamic. These experiences have been studied extensively in psychotherapy but have now been linked to VOM and its potential implications for reducing reoffending and promoting positive behavioral change, particularly among young offenders.
Overall, this episode emphasizes the power and effectiveness of corrective emotional experiences in the context of restorative justice, highlighting the importance of proper preparation for both victims and offenders to maximize the chances of experiencing these transformative moments. It also invites further research into how mediator training and the overall process of VOM can be enhanced to foster and promote corrective emotional experiences.
Learn More About Our Guest:
Dr. Cailey Strauss (she/her) completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan in 2022. She has published research on attachment style in romantic relationships, as well as the restorative justice practice of victim offender mediation (VOM). Clinically, she has worked in various forensic psychology settings with youth and adults over the past 16 years. She is passionate about the need for healing within the current criminal justice system, and believes deeply that everyone has ability to learn and grow. Originally from Winnipeg, she now lives in Vancouver with her two cats, Zimbardo and Dexter.
To connect with Cailey Strauss, contact her at [email protected].

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/