EVALUATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF VICTIM-OFFENDER MEDIATION (VOM) IN ZAGREB PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FOR VOM IN CASES OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS

The main goal of this paper is to evaluate the effi ciency of restorative justice model- victim-offender mediation (VOM) aimed for juvenilein confl ict with the law (out-of court settlement) in Zagreb professional service for VOM. The sample consisted of 209 juvenileand young offenders who participated in victim-offender mediation during the period form July 2006 until the end of 2009. Effi ciencywas evaluated using data on criteria for implementation of VOM, the characteristics of both offenders and victims, type of offence,starting stages of VOM procedure, the effi cacy of the process itself, the decisions of the state attorney and the recidivism of the offender.Data was collected using questionnaire and documentation analysis. Frequencies of variables were calculated for descriptiveanalysis purpose. The results show effi cacy of VOM considering all the above mentioned criteria. Therefore, results support the effortsof professionals for juvenile delinquency to advocate for, develop, and participate in VOM programs.