Restorative justice slated as solution in assault case

A JUDICIALLY sanctioned programme of restorative justice has been slated by Justice Alliance of SA (Jasa) as a way to resolve the matter between assault accused Tim Osrin and domestic worker Cynthia Joni.

Osrin, who has been charged with assault for allegedly attacking Joni in October, appeared in court on Friday.

Jasa has expressed concern that Joni’s constitutional rights are being breached after it recently came to light that she was not prepared to meet Osrin.

When he appeared in court in January, the matter was postponed for the process to take place under the auspices of the SA National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (Nicro).

The programme entails counselling sessions aimed at having Osrin and Joni meet to resolve the matter. A proposed plea bargain agreement would then be discussed.

The Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (Sweat) has been asked to take part after Osrin apparently said he assaulted Joni because he thought she was a sex worker.

Jasa chief executive John Smyth said: “Cynthia Joni’s rights to privacy and dignity are being breached by the pressure being put on her to meet with her assailant and Sweat.

“It may very well be that the programme of restorative justice is unconstitutional. It is quite wrong that an innocent person should be treated in this way.”

Joni’s attorney Elana Hannington admitted said her client was “simply not ready” to meet Osrin.

“Cynthia has had two consultations with Nicro and they have treated her with warmth and compassion. I can certainly say that Nicro and Osrin’s legal team have not put any pressure on her, and I doubt that she has experienced anything unconstitutional.

“She might not be ready to meet with Osrin and Sweat, but I do feel this process of restorative justice could be beneficial.