What to Expect If You Were Harmed
This process is about you and your safety. Nothing happens without your consent. You do not owe anyone participation, forgiveness, or closure.
Why You Were Invited
You were invited because:
- You were impacted by harm
- Your experience matters
- You deserve a chance to be heard, on your terms
Restorative justice exists to create space for voice, choice, and repair.
Voice, Choice and Repair
1
A Private Conversation
You’ll meet one-on-one with a trained restorative justice facilitator. This meeting is:
- Confidential (within legal limits)
- Focused on your experience
- Led at your pace
You’ll be asked things like:
- What happened, from your perspective?
- How has this affected you?
- What has been hardest?
- What do you need in order to feel safe?
- What, if anything, would help repair the harm?
You are always allowed to say:
“I’m not sure”
“I need time”
“I don’t want to do this”
You decide if and how you want to participate. Options may include:
- A restorative conference (face-to-face)
- Non-contact options (letters, statements, indirect communication)
- Having your words shared by a facilitator or support person
- Choosing not to participate at all
If you choose to continue:
- You will know exactly who will be involved
- You will know what questions will be asked
- You can bring support people
- Safety and emotional readiness are always prioritized
Nothing moves forward without careful preparation.
Step 2: Choice and Preparation
(Only if you choose it)
If there is a conference or circle:
- You speak without interruption
- Facilitators manage the space and pacing
- Ground rules are clear and enforced
- You can ask for breaks or step out at any time
You are never required to:
- Confront someone
- Accept an apology
- Forgive
- Educate the person who caused harm
Your role is not to fix them. Your role is to be heard, if you want to be.
Step 3: The Restorative Process
If you choose to be involved in repair, you help define what that means. This might include:
- An apology that feels genuine
- Understanding why the harm happened
- Concrete actions that address the impact
- Boundaries for future contact
- Supports or resources you need
You are not asked to lower your needs to make things “easier.” Agreements must centre your safety and experience.
Step 4: Identifying What Repair Looks Like
If an agreement is created:
- Facilitators monitor follow-through
- You are informed when commitments are completed
- You decide what closure looks like for you
You are never obligated to stay involved longer than you want.
Step 5: Follow-Through and Closure
