DVSD – RoamSA

Pre-dialogue interview

Each participant will attend a pre-dialogue meeting led by facilitators with his or her support person- done meeting for the survivor and one for the offender.

Pre-dialogue interviews typically:

If, after the pre-dialogue interview, either participant wishes to back out of the program they may do so.

At no time during the process are they obligated to continue their participation.

Each participant will engage in ONE dialogue with an unrelated survivor or offender.
Each dialogue will include six people
One survivor (unrelated to offender)
One offender (unrelated to survivor)
One personal advocate- such as a counselor- per participant
Two D.V.S.D trained facilitators- usually one male and one female
Date and time of the dialogue are mutually agreed upon
The location of the dialogue is determined by the survivor
Session length is determined by participants
Each participant tells his or her story
Each participant gets the chance to ask questions after the stories.

Immediately following the dialogue, the male and female facilitators separately interview the survivor and the offender to learn their initial reactions to their experiences.
The survivor always goes first. While the offender is on the post-dialogue interview, the survivor leaves the site, ensuring there is no further contact between them.
Participants may request security escorts to their vehicles following the session, if desired.
Follow-up counselling sessions for each participant are required.