6 ways that restorative justice could benefit survivors of intimate partner violence

1. Survivor-informed and community-led: Programs should be designed with, rather than for, survivors and the communities that support them. They should reflect the diverse experiences and needs of survivors and, when appropriate, include meaningful leadership from Indigenous communities.
2. Flexible and adaptive programming: Restorative justice exists on a continuum of practices rather than a single model, and not all involve direct contact with the person who caused the harm. Choice and flexibility should be built into the process, recognizing that survivors’ needs, preferences and readiness will vary.
3. Cross-sector collaboration: Effective programs require working together with experts in gender-based violence, restorative justice organizations, perpetrator intervention programs and the criminal justice system. This will help ensure appropriate referrals, trauma-informed practice, risk assessment and safety planning.
4. Rigorous assessment and safety planning: Restorative justice isn’t appropriate in every case. Situations involving ongoing coercive control or people who won’t accept responsibility for the harm present genuine safety concerns. Careful screening, ongoing assessment and the ability to end restorative justice efforts at any time are essential.
5. Sustainable funding: Meaningful programs cannot be put into practice simply because they are seen as a low-cost option. Without adequate and long-term funding, community organizations will not have the capacity to implement the safeguards, training and supports necessary for meaningful participation.
6. Evaluation and awareness: Collecting information to learn about participant experiences and outcomes is critical to inform continuous improvement in restorative justice initiatives. Greater awareness of restorative options are also needed to ensure they’re fully understood and offered where appropriate.

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