Introduction.

Source: (2006) Theoretical Criminology. 10(1):5-7.

This Special Issue of Theoretical Criminology emerged from our interests to
clarify and expand feminist debates on restorative justice. Virtually all
feminist analyses of restorative justice have centred on its appropriateness
for partner, family or sexual violence. A Special Issue of Violence against
Women (2005) is devoted to restorative justice and intimate or gendered
violence. Such a focus is important, of course, especially in light of the
many decades of feminist activism and research concerning violence against
women and children. At the same time, such a focus may limit debate to a
particular set of theoretical, empirical and political problems.
Our goals for this Special Issue are to bring new empirical analyses to
bear on extant debates, to identify new areas of feminist engagement with
restorative justice and to bring an international and comparative dimension
to theory and research. We were especially interested to include analyses
that address both gender and race. There is frequent reference in the
literature to the (presumed) interests of Indigenous peoples in restorative
justice, but little examination of Indigenous women’s perspectives. We have
chosen to give particular emphasis to the relationship of restorative justice
to Indigenous justice, and to elucidate debates among and between Indigenous
and non-Indigenous women recognizing the significance of different
local and national contexts. Thus, the contributing authors are from
Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand and the United States. (excerpt)