What does the Balanced and Restorative Justice approach emphasize?

The Balanced and Restorative Justice approach emphasizes three key components: accountability, competency development, and safety. This model seeks to balance the needs of the victim, the offender, and the community, focusing on repairing the harm caused by the offense.

Accountability is essential as it promotes the idea that offenders must take responsibility for their actions and understand the impact of their behavior on victims and the larger community. Competency development refers to equipping offenders with skills and resources necessary to become law-abiding citizens and contribute positively to society, thus preventing future offenses. Safety prioritizes the protection of the community and ensuring that the interventions provided do not compromise public safety.

This approach is integral to juvenile justice as it recognizes the importance of rehabilitation while also addressing the needs of victims and ensuring community involvement. While the other options address important aspects of juvenile justice, they do not capture the comprehensive nature of the Balanced and Restorative Justice framework as effectively as this option does.