Last month, I attended the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia’s (EVA BC’s) annual forum, “Supporting Survivors Across the Years.” I have worked alongside the Victim Services sector for almost a decade, so there were many familiar faces. But the conversations have changed. When I introduce myself, saying, “Hi, I’m Catherine and a lot of […]
“Restorative justice is a response to a harmful incident that seeks the inclusion of all involved, in efforts to meaningfully address the harm and restore trust in relationships.” – Just Outcomes There is a growing movement within the United States to establish an equitable and dignified criminal justice system that aligns with human needs and […]
While “restorative justice” and “conflict resolution” both deal with issues of crisis in relationship, these disciplines differ somewhat in their basic assumptions, language, and goals. Discerning and choosing the discipline or “frame” best suited to the crisis at hand helps preserve the well-being of all parties, as well as societal and organizational ethics. Definitions and […]
Looking forward to a little time to relax and unwind over the holidays? Great! Aren’t we all. And the good news is that this “downtime” can also be a great time to take stock—not just about who’s been naughty and nice, but how YOU can put your best self forward, in your relationships and in […]
From Columbine High School to Amanda Todd, recent decades have seen a renewed spotlight placed on the ancient human problem of bullying, or the systematic abuse of power. These and countless other tragedies have animated a new public resolve to confront bullying behaviour at its cultural roots, challenging the normalcy of interpersonal oppression in communities, […]
As Published in the RJCO Quarterly by: Matthew Hartman and Fred Perloff In May 2015, the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice organized and facilitated a “Restorative Justice Consultation” in Harrisonburg, VA. This was a gathering of 35 restorative justice practitioners and academics from across the globe to discuss the current state of the restorative justice […]
For many of us, “justice,” evokes images of courtrooms, juries and cell walls. We’re taught that justice is the concern of the people in charge of our society’s institutions. Faced with a barrage of images of crime and harmful actions in our surrounding communities, we so often remain on the sidelines and hope that meaningful […]