Embedded Files
Objectives
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, learners will:
Describe survivor empowerment.
Explain and discuss how survivor empowerment is a source of healing for survivors.
Explain and discuss how restorative justice gives survivors freedom to design their own path toward healing.
What is Survivor Empowerment in the Context of Restorative Justice?
What is Survivor Empowerment in the Context of Restorative Justice?
Survivor empowerment is one of the principles of restorative justice.
One definition is, the act of prompting all parties involved in an offense to see victims as the forefront and driver of the path to healing. (Restorative Solutions, n.d.)
Our present-day Western criminal justice system centralizes the conversation around the offender and the punishment of the offender.
These centralized conversations sideline the offense, and instead favor isolation and exclusion (Marshall, 2014, p. 3).
Restorative justice calls for this to pivot, with survivors at the forefront, leading -- if they wish -- and addressing the act the offender committed and how it affected the survivor. (Restorative Solutions, n.d.)
How Does Survivor Empowerment through the Practice of Restorative Justice Lead to Survivors' Healing?
How Does Survivor Empowerment through the Practice of Restorative Justice Lead to Survivors' Healing?
A powerful concept of restorative justice is the practice of circles, first introduced and practiced by Indigenous communities.
One type of circle, the healing circle, brings together multiple parties of a violent or harmful event and invites whomever the organizer of the circle chooses to contribute toward the discussion. (United Nations, 2020)
The act of sharing within a group often helps distribute the burden of the event and its after effects off the individual who seeks healing and brings the members of the circle closer together. (United Nations, 2020)
“Often, a simple chance to have a voice, to have problems heard within a sympathetic and supportive environment is all that a person requires to begin the healing journey.” (United Nations, 2020, p. 31)
How does Restorative Justice Enable Survivors to Design Their Own Path Toward Healing?
How does Restorative Justice Enable Survivors to Design Their Own Path Toward Healing?
Restorative justice places the survivor at the heart of the healing process, a process which is often ignored by our current justice system.
Survivors are able to receive answers to their questions, to the degree that they wish for their questions to be answered, and answered by the individuals whom the survivor deems should answer.
If the survivor so chooses, the offender has an opportunity to make amends; note, however, that the survivor is the one who decides whether this opportunity is given and how.
Overall, the practice of restorative justice in the context of criminal activity has reduced reoffending by 14%. (Restorative Justice Council, 2016)
The following podcast (46:00 min), Episode 20 of Partnered with a Survivor (2020)*, discusses more about survivor empowerment in the context of community members listening to survivors and inquiring what justice looks like to them so that restorative practices are survivor-led. *Link will open new tab, Podplay podcast player.
Knowledge Evaluation
Knowledge Evaluation
Reflection Form
Reflection Form
Reflect on your understanding of survivor empowerment, and share with us your thoughts by filling out the following Reflection Form:
*The Reflection Form will open a Google Form in a new tab. Your name and email address will be kept confidential.
Check-in Questions
Check-in Questions
Test your knowledge about the material through taking the following check-in questions. Please note that these questions provide feedback on the spot for you, but responses are not tracked nor recorded.
References
References
Mandel, R.S. & Mandel, D. (Host). (2020, August 19). Partnering with survivors using restorative practices: An interview with Dr. Eloise Sepeda [Audio podcast]. Safe and Together Institute. https://www.podplay.com/en/podcast/234627/partnered-with-a-survivor-david-mandel-and-ruth-stearns-mandel/episode/40795949/episode-20-partnering-with-survivors-using-restorative-practices-an-interview-with-dr-eloise-sepeda
Restorative Solutions. (n.d.). Restorative community justice. http://restorativesolutions.us/schoolprograms/restorative-community-justice
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2020). Handbook on restorative justice programs. United Nations. https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/20-01146_Handbook_on_Restorative_Justice_Programmes.pdf
Page updated
Report abuse