Restorative Justice in the Context of Domestic Violence: A Literature Review

Source: (2004) Edmonton, Alberta: Mediation and Restorative Justice Centre. Downloaded 8 March 2005.

Domestic violence has become recognized over the past three decades as a major social, relationship, and justice problem. The activism of the feminist movement is considered a crucial factor in this recognition. Whereas previously, reactions to cases of intimate abuse tended to see the abuse as merely a relationship problem (if it was seen as a problem at all), current public discourse about the prevalence and realities of abuse has resulted in domestic violence being treated more seriously now than perhaps at any time before. There are new laws, studies, shelters, support programs for victims and their children, treatment programs for offenders, and innovations in professional approaches to victims and offenders.
Current strategies and laws are not yet achieving the success that reformers had hoped. As a result, new approaches are being introduced on an ongoing basis, all in the hope of making a contribution to an overall successful response to domestic violence. One such approach has come from the field of restorative justice. For reasons outlined later in this paper, restorative justice initiatives in the area of domestic violence have been met with widespread opposition and small pockets of support, from domestic violence professionals, practitioners, and survivors. (excerpt)