Anger, devastation and fear are common emotions expressed by victims of crime, whether they have suffered a personal attack or theft.

Many are also left with unanswered questions. Why did they target me, my house or my car? Why did they steal possessions which have sentimental value to me but mean nothing to them?

Years ago there wasn’t the opportunity to put those questions to the culprit, but initiatives such as the Restorative Justice scheme have made it possible for victims of crime to have those questions answered.

Not every victim wants to meet the perpetrator of a crime which may have had a severe impact on their lives, but for those who do, this scheme, set up in Bradford in 2008, allows them some form of closure.

Restorative Justice is about shifting the focus from the offence to the offender, enabling those who have caused harm to try and make amends.

It involves victims and offenders meeting with a trained facilitator to talk about the crime, who was affected, the impact of the offence and what can be done to make things better.

Based in Shipley, and with offices in Keighley and Bradford, the Restorative Justice scheme is funded through the Probation Service.

Kate Brooksbank, a Restorative Justice facilitator, is one of only a few specialists in the field in the district. Kate, who became a probation officer from 2002, carries out assessments and liaises with the relevant agencies to determine whether an offender is suitable for the process.

Offenders who are suitable may have committed violent offences, burglaries, robberies, car crime offences and criminal damage. Those who are unsuitable have committed sexual offences or domestic violence, or those offenders who don’t accept responsibility for their offence. The process would also be unsuitable where there are concerns that the victim may be ‘re-victimised’ by becoming involved in the Restorative Justice process.

Kate’s experience comes through working on the Intensive Alternative To Custody scheme, a pilot scheme set up targeting offenders who were more likely to reoffend. The Restorative Justice process was set up as part of that scheme.

Kate says most offenders going through the process find facing a victim far more difficult than going to court. “It’s one of the hardest things they have to do,” she says.

She says many offenders don’t realise the emotional impact their actions have on the victim, and research has shown that facing their victim can prevent them from reoffending.

“It’s not for everyone. It is a victim-led scheme so it’s about what the victims want,” she says. “My role is to speak to the victim about how they have been affected and see if there is anything we can do.

“Some victims just want to forget about it, but quite often they want to know: ‘Why me? Why did my house stand out?’ “That is when I can give the victim the opportunity to either receive a letter from the offender or meet the person and just see who has done it,” explains Kate.

Once the rigorous assessments are complete, Kate organises a conference between victim and offender. Supporters of both the victim and offender are also invited. All participants are risk-assessed.

The success of the scheme is evident from the statistics. Of the victims Kate has visited, 61 per cent want to be involved in the Restorative Justice scheme, either meeting the offender face-to-face, through a letter, or indirect work. Around 150 have participated in the scheme so far since it began.

“For those people who do want to get involved, it’s about closure and getting those questions answered,” says Kate.

“Often, until they have been answered, they can’t move on from what has happened.

“But not all offenders are suitable – I have to be very confident and I do all the work with the offender and the victim. I want to know the victim will get something out of it.”