WHAT IS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE?

Restorative Justice is a philosophy that views crime as a violation of relationships and people. The aim of restorative justice is to identify responsibilities, meet needs, and promote healing through the involvement of victims, offenders, and community members.

Restorative Justice asks:
What Happened?
Who has been harmed?
Who is responsible?
What needs to happen in order to repair the harm?

The emphasis in restorative justice is on the harm that has been created and less about laws that have been broken. It requires a wrongdoer to accept responsibility for his or her actions by repairing, as much as possible, the harm caused and by dealing with issues attributable to the wrongdoing. The practice of restorative justice happens through a bringing together of the wrongdoer, families, those who have been harmed and community members in a dialogue designed to promote
healing and reparations.