Policy News / Winter 2024

Winter 2024

In this edition of the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) Policy News, we explore the transformative potential of restorative justice across diverse contexts, highlighting its adaptability and effectiveness in addressing complex societal challenges. From Bulgaria's recent advances in integrating restorative justice into the justice system to Estonia's innovative multi-agency cooperation between restorative justice and other services, we examine how restorative justice has an impactful role within institutional frameworks. The Belgian town, Leuven's ambitious vision of becoming a restorative city offers valuable insights into embedding restorative justice into urban policy and conflict management. Additionally, we delve into the sensitive yet crucial topics of gender-based and sexual violence, summarising key findings from EFRJ’s briefing paper and the newly launched From Survivors to Survivors publication, which amplifies survivor voices in shaping justice. Finally, an interview with the coordinator of the Child Friendly Justice European Network sheds light on the essential role of restorative justice in creating child-centred approaches. Together, these articles paint a compelling picture of restorative justice as a tool for reinforcing systemic frameworks to address crime and its effects, fostering responses that are more human, transformative, and participatory.

Laura Hein, Policy Officer, EFRJ

Building a Restorative City: A Policy Framework

How can cities foster connection, trust and meaningful dialogue in today’s divided world? Ivo Aertsen and Sarah Devriendt share the development of Leuven Restorative City, a pioneering initiative that embeds restorative justice into local policies and practices. The article highlights Leuven's unique model, which blends participatory methods with a flexible, multi-agency network. From tackling school bullying to hosting dialogue tables on polarising topics, Leuven Restorative City empowers citizens and organisations to collaboratively address conflict, promote understanding, and prevent harm. With its innovative practices like interactive LRC cafés and policy recommendations for fostering restorative dialogue, the project has become a blueprint for embedding restorative values into local governance.

Cooperation Between Multiple Institutions in Estonia

Estonia has made remarkable strides in integrating restorative justice into its victim support system through close interdisciplinary cooperation. This approach, involving police, prosecutors, and social services, ensures holistic support for victims and offenders, particularly in juvenile and sensitive cases. Despite challenges in shifting mindsets, Estonia's small size has fostered a strong network that allows for rapid adaptation and innovation. This article highlights the country’s progress, lessons learned, and the ongoing work to expand restorative justice services to broader groups.

A Struggling Development of Restorative Justice in Bulgaria

Restorative justice in Bulgaria has seen slow but steady progress over the past 30 years, evolving from academic curiosity to professional practice. Despite early resistance, a growing community of restorative justice specialists has emerged, supported by national studies highlighting both opportunities and challenges for restorative justice in criminal justice. The newly established Restorative Justice Association marks a significant milestone, uniting judges, academics, and practitioners to advance restorative justice nationwide.

EFRJ Briefing Paper On The Use Of Restorative Justice In Cases Of Violence Against Women

The EFRJ has published a briefing paper exploring the use of restorative justice in cases of violence against women. Addressing common concerns about safety, accountability, and victim empowerment, the paper highlights survivor experiences, evidence-based practices, and legal frameworks. It calls for victim-centred, voluntary restorative justice processes as a complement to criminal justice while urging clarity in interpreting Article 48 of the Istanbul Convention to prevent barriers to access. The EFRJ advocates for expanding safe, high-quality restorative practices tailored to victims' needs.

Conversations On Restorative Justice In Cases Of Sexual Violence

How can restorative justice transform the healing journey of survivors of sexual violence? This article shares the story of Georgia Robertson, a former intern of the EFRJ, about her own experience of restorative justice. Georgia’s story is part of the EFRJ publication, From Survivors to Survivors: Conversations on Restorative Justice in Cases of Sexual Violence, which brings together the voices of eight survivors across Europe, offering intimate insights into their experiences with restorative justice. This publication is essential for survivors, practitioners, policymakers, and anyone curious about restorative justice’s potential to create more humane, tailored responses to harm.

Interview with Mariama Diallo: A Holistic Approach to Justice for Child Victims

Despite rich and extensive legal frameworks concerning children in contact with justice systems in Europe, millions of children still face significant barriers when seeking justice. To address these challenges, the Child Friendly Justice European Network has released the position paper, Protecting the Rights of Child Victims in Europe – A Holistic Approach, which outlines the urgent need for a multidisciplinary, child-centred approach to justice. In this interview, Mariama Diallo, Coordinator of the Child Friendly Justice European Network explores the findings of the position paper and highlights the transformative role restorative justice can play in supporting child victims.

Please share this Policy News in your network. If you wish to write us about policy updates from your country or for any other information you can contact our Policy Officer, Laura Hein: laura.hein@euforumrj.org

Want to know more about restorative justice?

The United Nations Basic Principles on the use of Restorative Justice presents one coherent definition of restorative justice; whereby the Council of Europe Recommendation on Restorative Justice in Criminal Matters (CM/Rec(2018)8) offers the most innovative and comprehensive international document on restorative justice. At the European Union level, restorative justice is mainly regulated by the Victims’ Rights Directive (2012/29/EU).

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This Policy News was edited by Laura Hein, Breanna Fernandes, and Bálint Juhasz.

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