Welcome to the Restorative Justice Information Network’s website
serving the citizens of Greater Victoria, 8 local RJ groups and residents of B.C.

Restorative Justice in B. C.  Communities

What? Restorative Justice (RJ) is a response to crime that focuses on restoring the losses suffered by victims, holding offenders accountable for the harm they have caused, reintegrating victims and offenders into their community and building peace. RJ views an offence as harm done to a person and the community; it seeks to solve the problem and repair the harm and it supports forgiveness and rehabilitation.

Who? Restorative justice is not limited to less serious youth cases. The Crown and judge, upon request from the victim and cooperation of the offender, may also permit a restorative process to parallel the traditional procedure.

Why? The traditional justice system is too slow, too expensive and doesn’t serve young first-time offenders well. It is based on Old Testament values of punishment and retribution, uses an adversarial process and reduces victims and offenders to being spectators. The victim’s needs for healing are ignored. In RJ, victims have a voice and offenders work towards reparation.

How? A trained facilitator meets with the victim and the offender separately, sometimes in their homes. A conference is held including victim, offender, their supporters, usually the arresting officer and representatives of the community. The facilitator ensures a safe environment and that everyone has their say; a set format is followed to keep the process flowing. An agreement is reached to repair the harm done; the participants all sign it. Follow-up occurs to ensure the pact is carried out. A co-facilitator assists in the conference; a mentor may help the offender to complete the agreement. Over 95% of agreements are carried out; the offender does not have a criminal record.

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