This study examines statewide victim offender dialogue programs to provide victims of severe violence the opportunity to meet the offender should the offender agree. For the study, 79 interviews were conducted - 40 with victims or family survivors, 39 with offenders. The majority of the offenses involved were homicides.

The study found that the average length of time from the commission of the crime to dialogue was 9 1/2 years. The dialogue itself lasted on average 5 1/2 hours in Texas and 2 1/2 hours in Ohio. The most frequently stated reasons of victims and family members for meeting with the offender were: to seek answers to lingering questions about the crime; to let the offender know of the impact of the crime; to have more human interaction with the offender; and to advance their own healing process. The most often stated reasons given by offenders for meeting were: to apologize to the victim; to help the victim's healing process; to help in their own rehabilitation and healing; and to provide the victims with more information about themselves.

After the dialogue, the majority of victims and family survivors reported the process led to personal growth and healing. Both victims and offenders were satisfied with the programs. Virtually everyone interviewed felt that the process was helpful to them.