Restorative Justice Practices for Domestic Violence
Within the past decade, domestic violence practitioners, along with
restorative justice researchers and practitioners, have begun to debate
the merits of using restorative justice for domestic violence.
Proponents encourage using restorative justice to address domestic
violence, claiming it offers more options and benefits to victims,
holds offenders directly accountable for their abuse, and stimu
lates
community discussion about domestic violence. Opponents claim
restorative justice is inherently risky to victims and lacks adequate
safety measures. The potential risks of using restorative justice to
address domestic violence have prompted practitioners to think twice
about developing and implementing restorative justice initiatives to
address domestic violence. As a result, the debate over
applying restorative justice to domestic violence has remained largely
theoretical in scope.
IRJRD promotes the use of modified versions or restorative justice practices for domestic violence through the following activities:
- Identification of seven viable models of restorative justice practice for domestic violence in the US and Canada.
- Consultation to SafePlace, an Austin non-profit providing services for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic abuse.
- Presentations to the Travis County Family Violence Task Force.
- Consultation to Resolve to Stop the Violence Everyday (R.A.V.E.) program, Travis County Sherriff’s Department.
- Initiative to replicate the Cultural Context Model developed by the Institute for Family Services, Somerset, New Jersey.
- Co-sponsorship of a conference on restorative justice and domestic violence for community agencies.
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Implementation of Restorative Justice for Student Misconduct
The use of restorative justice on college and university campuses is
a growing trend. Institutions of higher education are
experimenting with a variety of possibilities. The 
University
of Colorado at Boulder has the largest program hearing over 300 cases
in 2007-2008. Five members of a trained group of students, staff
members, and community members hear two cases four days a
week. The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor offers
restorative justice options through its Office of Student Conflict
Resolution. In 2007-2008, three-quarters of its 400 cases were
resolved by restorative justice and other alternative options.
IRJ&RD promotes the use of restorative justice dialogue for student misconduct and provides consultation to the Office of the Ombudsperson at The University of Texas at Austin for the following activities:
- Research on restorative justice practices at specific college and university campuses
- Assistance in visiting campuses that are using restorative justice dialogue.
- Implementation of study groups comprised of administration, faculty and staff to explore the application of restorative justice to student misconduct at The University of Texas at Austin.
- Participation in webinars on the use of restorative justice on college campuses
A planning group for implementation of restorative justice dialogue at The University of Texas at Austin has been formed. Interested persons should contact
Lauren Bloom, Ombudsperson
Office of the Ombudsperson
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station A6000
Austin, TX 78712
Student Services Building G1.404
(512) 471-3825
(512) 475-6096 (fax)
