Restorative justice as feminist practice

Abstract

Feminists have viewed the implementation of restorative practices warily, particu‐ larly in the context of gender-based harms. Concerns include the devaluing of gen‐ der-based harms, the reprivatisation of violence against women and the inability of restorative practitioners to guarantee safety for people subjected to abuse. But this article will argue that restorative justice can be a uniquely feminist practice, grow‐ ing out of the same mistrust of state-based systems and engagement of the com‐ munity that animated the early feminist movement. Although some caution is war‐ ranted, restorative justice serves the feminist goals of amplifying women’s voices, fostering women’s autonomy and empowerment, engaging community, avoiding gender essentialism and employing an intersectional analysis, transforming patri‐ archal structures and ending violence against women.