New approaches to community and intimate violence
Restorative Justice
Restorative justice seeks to "restore" all those involved in or affected by a crime. Those who have something at stake in a situation define what restoration means for them. This may include restoring items that have been lost or stolen, but can also mean the restoration of feelings of dignity and security. Restorative justice programs are applicable (and indeed are being applied) to a host of crimes and behaviors, including community conflicts, theft, destruction of property, and even violence. Restorative justice models also take many forms: victim-offender dialogues, community reparative boards, family group conferencing, and peacemaking or healing circles – all united by the belief that everyone deserves an equal voice in the justice process and an equal opportunity to participate in the resolution of an offense. The essence of restorative justice is not particular to the crime or behavior it addresses, but rather is about holistic restoration to those people who have been affected.