Restorative Justice can be a beginning of a process of growth
“Restorative Justice has significant potential to create new pathways forwards for people who have experienced family violence,” says RISE’s Miranda Warner.
Miranda would know because she works part-time for both Restorative Justice in Nelson, and also for RISE. The combination of jobs allows her to see someone who has caused harm journey from some of the earliest stages of accountability through to a possibility of lasting change.
“A Restorative Justice meeting brings together a user of violence with a person who has been harmed, along with their support people and community representatives. The environment Restorative Justice creates removes any secrecy around violence, addresses and brings to light the reality of the situation, and puts in place accountability and support. This can have a tremendous ripple effect of the lives of everyone touched by family violence.”
Restorative Justice is a part of the criminal justice process in Aotearoa for those who have pled guilty and have an identifiable victim. It is, however, a completely voluntary process for both parties. Whether or not Restorative Justice process has taken place, the person charged with an offence returns to court for sentencing.
“In a Restorative Justice meeting, the people involved talk specifically about what needs to be done to address the harm that has been caused and to ensure harm of this kind does not happen again. This is where RISE and a Non-Violence programme can enter the conversation. Anyone in Restorative Justice can suggest a person attend a RISE programme. If the person is agreeable to this a referral to RISE then becomes one of the outcomes of the restorative justice process that we monitor, and report back to the courts.”
A large part of the Restorative Justice case load is family violence work. Miranda was keen to pursue a role with RISE to support and participate in the ongoing work for those who have used violence.
“I believe in the power and potential of Restorative Justice. It can be the start of the process of change for people. In joining RISE, I’ve been able to continue that process with people, seeing them through the next stages of the long-term work it takes.” (Miranda is not automatically assigned to work with people who are referred from Restorative Justice unless the client indicates a specific interest.)
“The other key interest I have through RISE and Restorative Justice is assisting people to develop greater emotional literacy,” Miranda says. “I believe a lack of emotional literacy is often at the core of violent behaviour and abusive behaviours. Many people don’t grow up learning how to safely communicate needs, feelings, and struggles.”
Sometimes Miranda is lucky enough to observe people journey from Restorative Justice and on into RISE. This happens most often when those who have used violence find themselves on a men’s non-violence group.
“It can be a huge privilege to see someone work through things with RISE when I’ve also witnessed the beginning of that journey at Restorative Justice. I watch people really embrace the learning, absorbing information like a sponge, taking on everything the other men in the group are sharing.
“Not long ago one such individual completed the Non-Violence Programme, and then voluntarily continued in a RISE counselling programme. When time came for him to visit the judge, the judge commented that all the work he had done was a great example of the system working well. The judge took on board the Restorative Justice commitment this young man had made from attending the non-violence programme and continuing on his own in RISE counselling work.”
Miranda is continuing to balance both professional roles, bringing experience learned at one to the other, and vice versa.
“What I find compelling about Restorative Justice is that people who have been harmed by criminal behaviour are heard and get to play a part in shaping what needs to happen. Through the process, we are able to model new ways of working through conflict that are non-violent and constructive. At RISE, I am learning from wise and incredibly skilled professionals in family violence. I am inspired by my colleagues and am always learning and growing. I consider it a privilege to belong to this work.”