The promises and pitfalls of restorative justice for intimate partner violence

All victims gave multiple reasons for not reporting the IPV to the police. Clearly the status quo is not working. Many expressed the wish to have known about and had the option of experiencing RJ earlier in the development of the violence. 

Unfortunately, until stakeholders and policy makers listen to the voices of victims and perpetrators… the status quo is likely to remain. Recidivism in these types of offences has not been reduced by existing programmes. The low reporting rate found globally is almost certainly a factor of women’s reluctance to testify, along with the belief that criminal justice processes can be harmful to victims. What most writers are agreed upon, however, is that witnessing violence is learning violence. Such opportunities to witness violence could be reduced by stakeholders heeding those most directly affected.

Citations omitted.

Hat tip to RJ4all.info

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