YouTube Videos

1. Ray and Vi tell their story to ex offenders in a church in Brixton
Brutally murdered teenager - parents talk of change

2. Home truths Part two Restorative Justice
In 2001 Christopher Donovan was murdered in a senseless killing that saw his assailants handed lengthy jail sentences. Just over a decade later, his parents Ray and Vi discuss in detail the ordeal and its aftermath, as well as their experiences meeting their son's killers face to face.

3. Home Truths Part One
In 2001 Christopher Donovan was murdered in a senseless killing that saw his assailants handed lengthy jail sentences. Just over a decade later, his parents Ray and Vi discuss in detail the ordeal and its aftermath, as well as their experiences meeting their son's killers face to face.

4. Do Some Crimes Deserve The Death Penalty? (The Big Questions)
Nicky Campbell presents The Big Questions live from Ashton Park School in Bristol. The 'Big Question' is "Do some crimes deserve the death penalty?" Guests include Dr. Michael Naughton of The Innocence Network UK, Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens, Christian barrister Mark Mullins, Vi and Ray Donovan from the Chris Donovan Trust, broadcaster James O'Brien, Michael O'Brien (who spent time in prison after he was wrongly convicted of murder), columnist Bruce Anderson, and the moronic David Musa Pidcock from the Islamic Party of Britain, who makes the astonishing claim that the 9/11 and 7/7 terrorists were innocent!!! (BBC The Big Questions, 29th April 2012)

5. Speaking on ITV News
Speaking on ITV news

6. An interview with Kate Garraway
An interview with Kate Garraway

7. Chris Donovan Trust was mentioned in the houses of parliament
Chris Donovan Trust was mentioned in the houses of parliament

8. This week has been a busy week for Public Service students who joined the Sociology and FDA Criminology students for a talk about Restorative Justice
This week has been a busy week for Public Service students who joined the Sociology and FDA Criminology students for a talk about Restorative Justice from the Chris Donovan Trust. The Chris Donovan Trust is a non-profit charitable organisation set up by Vi and Ray Donovan who in 2001 experienced the tragic loss of their son Chris through violence. Using their own devastating experience they want to help educate people about the impact of crime on the victim, their family and wider society. They do so by sharing their story and experience to a wide audience including students, criminal justice professionals, victims of crime and offenders. Their talk gave the students an emotional and real picture of how horrific violent crime is. Students were captivated by the Donovans who talked about respect not being gained through violence but by being true to yourself, thinking about your actions and ultimately through forgiveness. They took students on a journey with them; from the night they were told their son had been senselessly murdered by three teenagers to ten years later when they met the offenders. Restorative justice finally gave Vi and Ray a voice and enabled them to meet the offenders and ask ‘’why?’ A question that the Criminal justice System could not answer for them. Vi and Ray did not sugar coat their loss or experiences; they opened up their hearts to the students. They taught students that Crime has a ripple effect and one action can affect so many people, as Ray said to the students ‘You are now part of that Ripple’. They were also joined by Local police officers who discussed their experiences of using Restorative justice and the impact it has on the victim, offender and their own professional lives. Students from the Uniformed Public Services Course were then fortunate to visit the brand new custodial suite at Gloucestershire Police Headquarters in Gloucester. The students were able to question the Custody Sergeant and the Custodial Manager on the day to day running of the suite and how the police process and manage those detainees who are held in custody. The visit coincided with the study of a related units including Custodial Care Services. For further information please contact richard.stonebridge@cirencester.ac.uk or mandy.fisher@cirencster.ac.uk or http://www.chrisdonovantrust.org/ http://www.restorativegloucestershire.co.uk/

9. Chris Donovan Trust - Interview at Celeb FC Charity Football #SparksFooty 2016
Chris Donovan Trust - Interview at Celeb FC Charity Football #SparksFooty 2016

10. TV interview with 100 Huntley in Canada
When Ray and Vi Donovan were awoken in the early hours of Saturday morning to the horrific news that their two sons had been brutally attacked by a gang while walking to a friend’s house that night, they felt as though their world had ended. The couple discovered that one of their sons, Christopher, was fighting for his life in hospital. He later died from his injuries. This touching an often heart wrenching testimony shows how, through their faith in God and the Restorative Justice system, Ray and Vi have been able to accept that Christopher’s death was not in vain and that his legacy lives on as a force for good in the world. In an extraordinary show of compassion, they have managed to forgive the people who senselessly murdered their son. Ray and Vi have gone on to help many families, victims and offenders. Their powerful story will challenge anyone who is struggling to forgive and to discover the peace that comes with being able to do so. Ray & Vi tell their story in their new book "Restored & Forgiven"

11. Ray and Vi Donovan share the story of their son's murder and why they forgave the men who murdered him
Ray and Vi Donovan share the story of their son's murder and why they forgave the men who murdered him

12. Facing the Canon
A chat show with Canon J John

13. Forgiveness
Doug Harris is in conversation with John Mosey and Ray and Vi Donovan on the subject of Forgiveness. This program was first broadcast on Simply the Truth, Revelation TV, 5 June 2012.

14. Brutally murdered teenager - parents talk of change
Ray & Vi Donovan talk of the transformation to their life brought about by the brutal murder of their son on 28 May 2001. And how that change effected their lives and others. For those struggling with forgiveness, bitterness and dreams of vengeance...

15. Do Some Crimes Deserve The Death Penalty? (The Big Questions)
The Big Questions live from Ashton Park School, Bristol. The \'Big Question\' is \"Do some crimes deserve the death penalty?\" Guests include Dr. Michael Naughton of The Innocence Network UK, Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens, Vi and Ray Donovan from the Chris Donovan Trust...

16. RJC Restorative Justice Practitioner Register
This five minute film explains why quality in restorative practice matters and provides an introduction to the RJC Practitioner Register.

17. Face to Face - Prison Radio Association programme on restorative justice
Three victims of violent crime meet three prisoners who have committed violent acts inside a prison (HMP Brixton) to highlight the importance of restorative justice.