Preliminary VOD Questions — Kidnapping

These questions are for your consideration and reflection, as they may raise issues you haven’t considered in this context, and help you begin to think about preparing for a VOD. It’s not unusual for the answers to change during the preparation process – and even during the VOD itself.

What are your main objectives, at this point, for a Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) with the Offender?

   For example:

  • Do you want him/her to understand some of the initial and continuing emotional impacts and effects of what s/he did, upon you and your family?
  • Do you want him/her to explain (not excuse) why s/he did what s/he did?
  • Do you want him/her to take full personal responsibility for what s/he did?
  • Do you want something other from the VOD, i.e., to know that you can simply endure and “survive” being in the same room with him/her, and that you have regained your strength?

What kinds of things could make the VOD go “wrong” for you?

   For example:

  • If s/he tries to minimize his/her responsibility, by blaming his/her choices to do what s/he did on alcohol or drugs or age or family history, or other factors?
  • If s/he tries to subtly (or overtly) blame you or someone else for what s/he did?
  • If s/he claims to have “blacked out” certain (important-to-you) aspects of what s/he did, such that s/he says s/he “can’t remember” all or part of what s/he did to you?
  • If you get the sense that s/he is “sorry,” but only in words, and not in a real feeling way?

What do you want him/her to take away from the VOD with you?

   For example:

  • If s/he is one day to be released, and perhaps even to your community or county, how do you want him/her to understand his/her “place” in the community?
  • Is it important to you that s/he come away with some understanding of the devastation s/he caused, and how anniversaries, holidays, and other “triggers” can still affect you?
  • Do you want him/her to do his/her part to “carry” his/her share of the burden s/he left you and your family with, in the aftermath of his/her actions?
  • Or do you want him/her to not be burdened by the impacts and effects of his/her actions?
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