i-RESTORE research report on the application of restorative justice in cases involving child-victims in Romania

The national research report in Romania was produced by Cecilia Popa and aimed at identifying gaps and synergies concerning the application of restorative justice (RJ) in cases involving child victims. Amongst other goals, the project identified RJ practices in Romania, with a focus on the particularity of this process and the existence of best practices when working with children. The first part of this report addresses the history of RJ in Romania, from the introduction in the Classification of Occupations in Romania (COR) of different terminologies of the mediator to the RJ Experimental Centres at the beginning of 2000 and to the current state of mediation as portrayed in the law and in practice. The second part of this report comprises of an empirical study, which includes 40 professionals and 20 children in 25 consultation meetings.Based on the literature review and the analysis of the interviews, a list of recommendations that have a direct connection with the current legislation and its gaps is proposed.