Training for restorative justice work in cases of sexual violence

Abstract

It is easy to understand why some people may have reservations about the appli‐ cation of restorative justice (restorative justice) in cases of sexual violence (see e.g. Zinsstag, 2017). Yet, European-Commissioned Daphne-funded research1 undertaken by Estelle Zinsstag and myself with a team from a number of Euro‐ pean countries demonstrated that this work is already taking place ‘under the radar’ in many jurisdictions across the globe (Zinsstag & Keenan, 2017). Research also indicates that victims of sexual violence in jurisdictions that do not provide restorative justice services in sexual violence cases as the norm want restorative justice to be made available to them as a matter of choice (see Keenan, 2014). They want restorative justice to be provided by a designated autonomous agency, legitimated and supported by the state and independent of, but working in, col‐ laboration with criminal justice infrastructure. Importantly, these victims want restorative justice in sexual violence cases to be facilitated by well-trained profes‐ sional practitioners in whom they can trust. Practice experience indicates that the very same reasons that prompt victims to engage in restorative justice in non-sexual cases also apply in cases of sexual violence – perhaps even more so. These are to enable their voice to be heard and for the impact and aftermath of the trauma to be more profoundly and widely considered. In addition, some victims want their resilience in the face of such wrongdoing to be expressed. They want to ask questions, hear answers and create a more meaningful level of accountability. Daly (2017) summarised victims’ jus‐ tice interests from a range of empirical sources as participation, voice, validation, vindication and offender accountability-taking responsibility. Turning attention to admitted offenders, Keenan’s (2014) research found that they would be willing to participate in restorative justice if they were request‐ ed to do so. They believed that restorative justice might provide opportunity to repay a moral debt, to contribute towards the healing of the victim and secondary victims, and for apology and expression of sorrow. They too wanted restorative