Mediating the Needs of A Survivor & Perpetrator: A Case Study

In 2019, a survivor contacted me (Joyti) after hearing about my work through her network. She had been assaulted two years prior, but did not consciously recognize the assault as such. Psychologically, she was struggling and felt lost about where to turn.

I advised the survivor on healing; she had specific questions about her process. We came up with a plan for mediation with the perpetrator. The survivor wanted funds for a year of therapy, and she requested the perpetrator leave any physical space/event she was engaging in. The survivor should not feel compelled directly communicate or be in a shared space with the perpetrator, so as a third party, I would contact the perpetrator on her behalf. After some negotiation, the perpetrator agreed to the survivor’s terms. While the assault was not kept secret nor was an NDA signed, he asked for some discretion. The survivor agreed.

With this situation, both the survivor and predator were able to have their requests met as well. Unlike the majority of incidents we have mediated or supported, we have not received any reports of the recidivation from this predator. If a predator is compelled to take responsibility, they are less likely to continue harming others.