Restorative Practice Resources Tagged With: restoration

At its heart, restorative justice requires both parties working together to better understand each other’s needs and motivations in order to repair their relationship, find forgiveness, heal the harm done and find a peaceful resolution. This does not mean that perpetrators are absolved with a pardon.

The restorative lens also requires the wider community, who are indirectly impacted by the harm, to come together and offer support for this healing journey while ensuring the underlying needs/grievances that caused such harm are minimised. Likewise, communities engaged in the process learn to replace punishment with healing, hatred with forgiveness. This allows the space required to overcome shame, intimidation and judgement for both victim and offender, while facilitating the restoration of harmed relationships.

'CASE STUDIES Introduction This document presents nine case studies that provide in-depth examples of the social, wellbeing and cultural outcomes achieved through restorative justice conferencing. Much of the national evidence about the effectiveness of conferencing is based on the assessment of criminogenic outcomes, such as reductions in reoffending. However, an exclusive focus on reoffending fails to capture other important benefits for victims, young people and families, such as: offenders taking responsibility for their actions; the healing benefits for victims; reductions in fear of crime; material restoration; the reintegration of marginalised young people back into their communities; and conflict resolution (Suzuki, 2017, p. 7; Larsen, 2014; Cunneen & Luke, 2007). The case studies also provide a practitioner account of the conferencing process and include reflections about key elements of effective practice. All cases have been anonymised and prepared with the consent of the young people and participants of the conference. '

On Tuesday, November 21st, NACRJ hosted an online Circle in recognition of Restorative Justice Week. Commencing with insights and perspectives from several Indigenous community members, the event proceeded with participants forming small groups of 8-10 individuals, each group supported by a Circle Keeper. Together, they reflected on a set of guiding questions.

The event brought together people from across the country and, true to the nature of Circle, the process fostered connections and drew out pearls of wisdom from each participant. As part of Restorative Justice Week, we share with you the reflection questions that guided these meaningful conversations:

1. Restorative justice and many Indigenous teachings emphasize the importance of relationships and connection. How can each of us work toward a more connected and harmonious world even in the presence of our diverse backgrounds and lived experiences?

2. How might embracing a restorative justice or Indigenous worldview, emphasizing relationships, connection, balance, and restoration, strengthen your personal life, family, community, or the broader world? Are there places within your own life or broader world that could benefit from this type of approach right now?

3. What personal practices do you have, or might consider trying, that reflect your commitment to restorative justice principles (e.g., connection, balance, restoration)?

4. Reflect on the aspects of your life that provide a sense of meaning and purpose. How do these elements contribute to your ability to stay hopeful and balanced even when things in your life or the world feel overwhelming, complex, or challenging?