3.9.6 The Victim Offender Dialogues (VODs) were launched in November 2012, and are aimed at promoting restorative justice through the fostering of dialogue between victims and offenders. Since the launch, 85 VODs have taken place. While the VODs are welcomed, there is concern about the manner in which they have been conducted. Stakeholders are concerned about whether fundamental restorative justice practices have been adequately applied, and about whether sufficient consultation had taken place prior the programme's implementation. The Committee shares the view that victim participation being a condition for parole, was unfair to both victims and offenders.