Restorative justice is a worldwide movement that seeks to respond to harm in a way that fosters accountability and healing. These practices are used successfully in a variety of settings and professions, including education and law.
Restorative justice invites practitioners to enter the wound of another by accompanying them as they tell their stories. And it finds an able and potent partner when grounded in and informed by the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Restorative justice is a philosophical and practical approach to harm which seeks to bring together victim-survivors, the broader community and, in some cases, perpetrators to promote accountability and healing.
The obligations of the offender
Harm has obligations. Restorative justice aims to name those harms and address them, for those who have been harmed directly and indirectly.
The engagement of all
Putting things right. Repairing the harm and when possible, restoring individuals and relationships and establishing a path toward healing.
A focus on the harm
Restorative justice is a philosophical and practical approach to harm which seeks to bring together victim-survivors, the broader community and, in some cases, perpetrators to promote accountability and healing.
The obligations of the offender
Harm has obligations. Restorative justice aims to name those harms and address them, for those who have been harmed directly and indirectly.
The engagement of all
Putting things right. Repairing the harm and when possible, restoring individuals and relationships and establishing a path toward healing.
Further Reading
Explore the subject areas below to learn more about restorative justice work and how it is being used in the community.
Exploring the Intersection of Racial Justice & Restorative Justice
Dr. Yohuru Williams, founder of St. Thomas' Racial Justice Initiative, describes the critical role of understanding the history of racial discrimination in the United States before addressing racial justice issues.
Put aside most people’s traditional notions of punishment, which is generally about retribution … How do we do something for the victim-survivor, for the wrongdoer, for the community – which are all impacted by so many criminal actions?
