Victimology in restorative justice: implementation, challenges, and results within the Public Prosecutor's Office

Abstract

This article proposes a reflection on the intersection between Restorative Justice (RJ) and Victimology, based on the experience of the Victim Support Center (NAV) of the Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ). In a context marked by high levels of violence and the historical marginalization of victims within the criminal justice system, RJ emerges as an alternative to the retributive model by promoting active listening, voluntary accountability, and community involvement. Victimology, in turn, contributes to repositioning the victim as a subject of rights, breaking with the logic of revictimization. NAV/MPRJ operates as a partially restorative practice by offering psychosocial and legal support to direct and indirect victims of crimes and State violence, based on institutional resolutions and human rights guidelines. The article uses the cartographic method to follow the effects of practical experience and bibliographic research, highlighting the challenges faced, such as the decentralization of services, team training, and ethical dilemmas in psychosocial work. It concludes that the articulation between RJ and Victimology strengthens the victim's protagonism and contributes to the construction of more humane, sensitive, and effective practices within the Public Prosecutor's Office.