Responding to Harm
Healing and Accountability in Courts and Schools
Restorative Processes can be used as a preventative solution, reducing opportunities for harm and building more resilient communities. Sometimes, however, harm still occurs and responsive solutions are needed. Restorative processes can be used to respond to these harms, targeting and addressing specific words, actions, and events. Restorative circles are a powerful tool for addressing harm and fostering healing within communities, particularly in educational and judicial settings.
In Schools
In schools, restorative circles are used to create a dialogue around incidents of harm. They provide a platform for students to express their feelings, understand the impact of their actions, and work towards repairing relationships1. This approach has been shown to reduce conflicts and behavior problems, as it focuses on building relationships rather than imposing punitive punishments1.
In Courts
In the judicial system, restorative circles offer an alternative to traditional punitive measures. They involve the victim, the offender, and the community in a process that seeks to repair the harm caused by crime2. This method emphasizes healing for all parties involved and rebuilding relationships within the community2.
Cooperative Community
A broad range of people are usually involved; not just the actors who caused the harm and those directly impacted. Family, friends, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and others impacted in some way also frequently attend, lending bother perspective and resources. Individual participants cooperate to identify a goal, take responsibility for required actions, and make a plan to reach it.
Benefits
The benefits of restorative circles are manifold. They help to:
- Address the root causes of behavior.
- Encourage accountability and responsibility.
- Foster understanding and empathy among participants.
- Promote community interconnectedness and a discourse of harm, accountability, and repair.
Restorative circles represent a shift from a retributive justice model to one that values restoration and reconciliation. By focusing on the needs of the victims and the community, as well as the responsibility of the offender, restorative circles provide a more compassionate and comprehensive response to harm. They hold the potential to transform our approach to conflict and discipline, paving the way for a more just and empathetic society.