Defining
relational approaches to harm
What are restorative and transformative justice?
Restorative and Transformative Justice are philosophies and frameworks for preventing and addressing violence that acknowledge and address the needs of those who have been harmed and prioritize accountability, healing, and repair.
People who have harmed and been harmed coming together, this can include extended community. Through intentional, facilitated justice processes, those who have been harmed, those who have caused harm, and additional community members come together to address and repair the impacts and root causes of violence.
why?
Healing, accountability, and meaningful change.
Rather than focus solely on punishment, these relational approaches to justice seek to repair harm caused by actions in ways that honor dignity, agency, and equity.
HOw does it work?
There are lots of different ways that relational justice can be practiced, but this overview helps to understand the spectrum of practices and formations
some core basic principles
accountability
Survivor needs
healing-centered
Consent-driven:
Engagement is voluntary and based on informed choice.
Needs at the center:
The process is guided by the needs of those who have been impacted, focusing on their safety, healing, and agency. They hold an integral role in determining how harm is addressed.
Accountability: Framed as taking responsibility, acknowledging and repairing harm, and changing behavior. It is a human-centered process that uplifts the dignity of all involved.
Healing-centered: Responsive to the unique needs of everyone involved. Meaningful participation requires access to safety, support, and trauma-informed care. Healing and accountability become possible when participants are grounded, resourced, and supported to engage at their own pace and capacity.
how is it practiced?
Facilitated dialogue
A structured conversation process led by a facilitator that brings individuals and families together in a safe way to be heard, develop understanding, and find a way to repair harm.
Victim Impact Classes or Panels
Victims share their experiences with offenders to help them understand the broader impact of crime
Family Group Conferencing (FGC)
A structured meeting where families, friends, and community supports come together to create a plan to address a specific problem, such as child safety, mental health, or a crime, guided by a neutral facilitator.
Circles of Accountability (CoSA)
Community-based groups of volunteers and professionals that support individuals with a history of sexual offenses reintegrate, enhance community safety, and repair relationships, These groups provide a safety net of mentorship and guidance to help individuals manage risk factors, develop pro-social skills, and avoid reoffending.
what terms are helpful to know?
Term | Understandings |
|---|---|
Conferencing | A facilitated meeting between the person(s) who were harmed, person(s) who caused harm, and sometimes community members to discuss the harm and create a plan for repair and resolution. |
Community conferencing | A process that brings together the offender, victim, and community representatives to discuss the harm and make a plan for repair. |
Circles | An inclusive, communal way of discussing an incident or issue, where everyone is given a chance to speak and listen in a intentionally and thoughtfully structured environment. |
Reintegration meetings | Meetings held to plan for the return of someone who has been excluded from a community or a school, such as after a suspension. |
what does the research tell us?
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Restorative justice contributed to lower levels of fear and post-traumatic stress symptoms among victims, and victims had a lower desire for revenge after going through a restorative process (Sherman et al., 2015).
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Restorative justice programs were associated with a 27% reduction in recidivism compared to traditional punitive measures such as imprisonment or probation. This is largely because RJ emphasizes personal accountability and the opportunity for offenders to understand the human consequences of their actions (Khan et al., 2023).
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An evaluation of three restorative justice schemes in the United Kingdom (Shapland et al., 2007)
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85% of victims and 80% of offenders were very or quite satisfied with restorative justice processes
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90% of victims reported that their offenders had apologized
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New Zealand Victim Satisfaction Survey (2016)
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84% of victims were satisfied with the restorative justice conference they attended
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81% reported they would likely recommend restorative justice to others in a similar situation
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81% of respondents thought that the conference was a good way to deal with the offence committed against them, and three quarters of victims could name at least one way that restorative justice had benefited them
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91% said they felt safe at the restorative justice conference
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