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Restorative Justice looks at crime in terms of harm that has been done, rather than rules which have been broken. It seeks to repair the harm caused by crime. Sometimes the harm that is done is not measurable in a court of law. Harm can be physical but it can often be emotional. Relationships and community are also harmed by crime, not just individuals.
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"I have to say, I honestly feel better about what was done. I am not so angry any more." - a victim "I liked how we expressed ourselves with respect amongst each other." - an offender "I liked that we came to a fair, do-able agreement. I liked that we could hear the other side of the story." - a victim "Things were set straight and feelings were addressed" -parent of an offender "It made me open to people" - an offender |
What are the benefits of Restorative Justice?
- Victims feel heard and included in the process of justice
- Victims have the chance to ask questions that only the offender can answer
- Offenders feel like they have a genuine opportunity to put things right
- Offenders are confronted with the emotional impact of their crime
- Larger problems can come to light that the community can start to take responsibility for
Practices within Restorative Justice
Mediation- allows those involved in and affected by crime to meet face-to-face with a trained mediator, who helps the parties decide together what will best repair the harm done.
Conferences- are meetings of the people involved in and affected by a crime, along with members of their families and/or their community, facilitated by a trained mediator.
Circles - are a way of building community that may or may not focus on the specifics of any one crime. They involve people from many parts of the community. The underlying assumption of the circle process is that the responsibility for dealing with crime in the long term lies with the larger community, not just the persons and families directly involved or affected by a crime.
Conferences- are meetings of the people involved in and affected by a crime, along with members of their families and/or their community, facilitated by a trained mediator.
Circles - are a way of building community that may or may not focus on the specifics of any one crime. They involve people from many parts of the community. The underlying assumption of the circle process is that the responsibility for dealing with crime in the long term lies with the larger community, not just the persons and families directly involved or affected by a crime.