5 Key Principles of Restorative Justice Explained

Discover the five foundational principles of restorative justice and how they promote healing for victims and communities.

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1. Voluntary Participation: Engagement in restorative justice should be voluntary for all parties. 2. Repair Harm: Focus on repairing the damage caused to victims and communities. 3. Inclusive Process: Include all affected parties—victims, offenders, and community members—in the dialogue. 4. Accountability: Offenders must acknowledge their actions and take responsibility. 5. Future Prevention: Aim to prevent future harm by addressing underlying causes and promoting understanding.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is restorative justice? Restorative justice is a process that focuses on repairing harm caused by criminal behavior through mediation and agreement among affected parties.
  2. How does voluntary participation work in restorative justice? Voluntary participation means that all parties involved—victims, offenders, and community members—choose to engage in the restorative process, ensuring that no one is coerced.
  3. What are the benefits of restorative justice? Benefits of restorative justice include healing for victims, accountability for offenders, and a stronger community by fostering dialogue and understanding.
  4. How can restorative justice prevent future harm? Restorative justice aims to prevent future harm by addressing the underlying causes of the offending behavior and promoting greater understanding and empathy among participants.