Restorative Justice is an approach to justice with emphasis on the victims’, the offenders’ and the community’s needs. It is about “making things right”, by assuming responsibility, repairing the harm and restoring balance through participatory processes that meet all participants’ needs.
Restorative Justice can be an alternative or a complement to the “traditional” model of justice (where emphasis is put on punishment).
Restorative practices are based on the principle that people are happier, more collaborative and more efficient and that they are more likely to bring about positive change when those the decision-makers do things with (and not to) them. Therefore, restorative practices seek not only to deal with and repain the harm but also to prevent and resolve conflict and harmful behavior.
Restorative justice and practices include victim – offender mediation, restorative conferencing and other prevention or resolution processes and can be applied in:
