Myth buster

There are some common myths and misperceptions about what restorative justice is and what it can do. Below you can watch short video clips about some of these mistaken views.

Myth 1

Restorative justice is compulsory on the perpetrator – and you can’t withdraw

Myth 2

Restorative justice is not safe and may re-traumatise the person harmed

Myth 3

Restorative justice can only be a face-to-face meeting with the person who has harmed

Myth 4

Restorative justice must involve forgiveness (from the person harmed towards the person who has harmed) and an apology by the person who has harmed

Myth 5

Restorative justice is a light touch or easy way out for the person who has harmed

Myth 6

The perpetrator must admit their guilt to take part in restorative justice

Myth 7

Restorative justice is not suitable in serious cases such as homicide or violent assault

Myth 8

Restorative justice is just a meeting between the person harmed and the person who has harmed and not a process that involves a lot of pre-planning. The amount of preparation will obviously vary according to the offence, but the preparation is a very important part of the restorative justice process

 

Credits: We would like to thank Ailbhe Griffith, Ambassador for Restorative Justice International and Thriving Survivors for kindly sharing this material. These media clips were used to raise awareness of Restorative Justice during a Scotland wide consultation, known as ‘Survivors Voices’. This aimed to ascertain the views of Restorative Justice from survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.

Loading