The Restorative Justice Process
Police and justice partners, schools, community organizations, and individuals may refer situations to the RRDRJ program when a restorative response may better meet the needs of the person harmed and support meaningful accountability. Referrals may occur before charges are laid, after charges, or in non-criminal situations where harm, conflict, or relationship breakdown has occurred.
Criminal and Non-Criminal Offences
Restorative justice prioritizes the voice, safety, and needs of the person harmed. When appropriate and voluntary, those who caused harm are invited to take responsibility for the impact of their actions and to participate in repairing that harm in ways identified by the person harmed and supported by the community. This approach can reduce further harm and support safer, more connected outcomes, particularly for young people and families.
Crown Prosecutors may refer appropriate cases to RRDRJ after charges have been laid, and schools may make direct referrals as a proactive or responsive way to address harm, prevent escalation, and strengthen relationships within the school community. All referrals are carefully assessed to ensure the process is trauma-informed, person-harmed centred, voluntary, and safe for everyone involved.
When a referral is received by the program
- A confidential file is opened and an initial intake and assessment is completed.
- The Program Coordinator reviews the referral and gathers additional information as needed to determine whether a restorative approach is appropriate, voluntary, and safe for everyone involved. This assessment may include contact with the referring party, justice or school partners, and other relevant supports.
- If the situation is deemed appropriate for restorative work, trained facilitators are assigned to the file.
- Facilitators begin with individual preparation conversations with the person harmed and the person who caused harm. These conversations focus on understanding what happened, centring the needs, safety, and wishes of the person harmed, assessing readiness and accountability, and determining whether a restorative process is the right path forward.
- Not all files proceed to a joint process, and alternative or indirect restorative options may be explored when appropriate. If, following preparation, a restorative process is agreed to and consent is confirmed, facilitators work with participants to determine the most appropriate format. This may include a facilitated dialogue, circle, conference, or other restorative process, depending on the needs, readiness, and safety of those involved.
The focus of the restorative process is to understand the impact of the harm, ensure the person harmed has voice and choice, and support meaningful accountability by the person who caused harm.
Facilitators guide a structured and intentional conversation that centres the experience of harm, explores responsibility, and identifies what is needed to repair harm and prevent further harm. The process is adapted to the situation and may include support people or community representatives where appropriate.
The outcome of the restorative process is a shared understanding of impact and a set of agreed-upon actions designed to repair harm and support safer outcomes moving forward.
The Restorative Process
When restorative actions are identified, they are documented in a clear, realistic agreement developed with the input and consent of the person harmed. The agreement outlines the steps the person who caused harm has committed to take, timelines for completion, and any supports required to follow through.
Facilitators monitor and support completion of the agreement and maintain communication with participants and referring partners as appropriate. A file is closed once commitments are completed or if it is determined that a restorative process is no longer appropriate. In cases referred through justice partners, incomplete agreements may result in the file being returned to the referring agency.
The Agreement
If agreed-upon actions are not completed within the established timelines, facilitators review the circumstances to understand what barriers may be present and whether additional support or adjustments are appropriate. When a restorative process can no longer be sustained, or accountability is not being met, the file may be closed and, where applicable, returned to the referring agency for further action within their own processes.
