Doing Restorative Justice in Europe: Established Practices and Innovative Programmes

The sixth biennial conference of the European Forum of Restorative Justice marks the organisation's tenth anniversary. To mark the event, the conference -- Doing Restorative Justice in Europe: Established Practices and Innovative Programmes -- will explore the development of restorative justice in the region and look ahead to new possibilities.

Mar 18, 2010    Event

Smyth victim in Brady resign call

from the article on BBC News:

A victim of serial abuser Fr Brendan Smyth has called on the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland to resign.

Cardinal Sean Brady has admitted he was at meetings in 1975 where two abused children signed vows of silence over their complaints against Fr Smyth.

On Monday, a victim of Fr Smyth called Samantha told the BBC the church needed to "root out the rot and start from the top".

"This is not a witch hunt, this is about what is right," she added.

Mar 17, 2010    Policy , Country:Ireland , Case:Sexual

From schools to prisons: Disciplinary policy brings incarceration

from Brian Wells, David Dutschke, Joseph Phelps and Walter Jones' article on Courier-Journal.com:

One of the most alarming trends affecting our children today is what has become known as the “school to prison pipeline,” a term used to describe an all too common reality for poor-performing students. First they are academically unsuccessful, then their misbehavior results in school disciplinary action, then their misbehavior puts them into the juvenile justice system, then they leave school prematurely and eventually end up as incarcerated adults.

Nationally, students who do not graduate are three times more likely to be incarcerated.

We are losing too many young people down this pipeline for the good of our souls and of our society. The problem calls for the creation of coordinated and creative approaches by our court systems and our school systems.

Mar 17, 2010    Policy , School

East Lansing advocate: Jury award should impact bullying

from Kathleen Lavey's article in LSJ.com

A jury verdict that found a Michigan school district liable for $800,000 in damages to a student who was the victim of bullies should reinforce that bullying can't be tolerated, an East Lansing advocate says.

"This really should be a call to schools that, in the eyes of our legal system, bullying is something that can no longer be overlooked," Kevin Epling said.

Mar 17, 2010    Policy , School

Is violence ever justified?

The inaugural annual lecture hosted by the Forgiveness Project will feature Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The event will include a panel discussion featuring speakers who have been involved in and suffered from violence.

Mar 17, 2010    Event