definitions | healing courage

Defining
relational approaches to harm

What is restorative and transformative justice?

Restorative and Transformative Justice are relational approaches to harm. They 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.

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 restorative and transformative justice 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

Framed as: acknowledging harm, understanding the impacts of that harm and the behaviors that led to it, taking responsibility to repair that harm, and changing behavior to prevent further harm. Accountability is a human-centered process that requires self-reflection and awareness, and uplifts the dignity of all involved.

Survivor needs

This intentional, consent-driven process, where engagement is voluntary and based on informed choice, is guided by the needs of those who have been impacted. The process prioritizes safety, healing, and agency. Those who have been harmed hold an integral role in determining how harm is addressed and repaired.

healing-centered

Healing-centered approaches build well-being by focusing on strengths, culture, identity, and collective healing, rather than just fixing problems or symptoms. These approaches acknowledge trauma and promote holistic development by centering agency, relationships, meaning, and aspirations, allowing individuals and communities to move beyond mere survival.

how is it practiced?

facilitated dialogue

A structured conversation process led by a facilitator that brings individuals and individuals who ahve harmed together in a safe way to be heard, develop understanding, and find a way to repair harm.

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.

Victim Impact Classes or Panels

Victims share their experiences with those who have caused harm to help them understand the broader impact of their actions.

what does the research tell us?

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).

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).

An evaluation of three restorative justice schemes in the United Kingdom (Shapland et al., 2007)
- 85% of victims and 80% of offenders were very or quite satisfied with restorative justice processes
- 90% of victims reported that their offenders had apologized

New Zealand Victim Satisfaction Survey (2016)
- 84% of victims were satisfied with the restorative justice conference they attended
- 81% reported they would likely recommend restorative justice to others in a similar situation
- 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
- 91% said they felt safe at the restorative justice conference

want to learn more?

some helpful terms

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.