© Stanislav Tiplyashin | Dreamstime.com - Statue of Justice

Restorative justice requires, at minimum, that we address victims’ harms and needs, hold offenders accountable to put right those harms, and involve victims, offenders, and communities in this process.

~ THE LITTLE BOOK OF Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr

 

Restorative justice is a theory of justice that can be employed both re-actively, in response to conflict and/or crime, and proactively to strengthen community by fostering communication and empathy. Restorative Justice invites everyone impacted by a conflict and/or crime to develop a shared understanding of both the root causes and the effects. Restorative Justice seeks to address the needs of those who have been harmed, while encouraging those who have caused harm to take responsibility. Restorative Justice emphasizes the capacity of all people for healing, growth, and transformation and in this way it encourages accountability, self-determination, healing, and interconnection. Restorative Justice has a range of applications within communities, schools, and the justice system. It may also be used to address mass social conflict and/or injustice.