6 ways that restorative justice could benefit survivors of intimate partner violence

Canada's new Protecting Victims Act strengthens legal protections for survivors of intimate partner violence—yet research suggests that survivors' needs for healing, accountability, and meaningful participation aren't always met through the criminal justice system alone. A study published in The Conversation proposes restorative justice—a process centered on discussing harm, its impact, and repairing damage through participation by survivors, offenders, and community members—as a complement to traditional responses. The approach draws on Indigenous conflict resolution practices. Researchers who interviewed more than fifty IPV survivors and experts found cautious support for restorative programs, provided they include strong safeguards: survivor-led design, thorough safety screening, rigorous assessment of perpetrator accountability, and adequate long-term funding. Critics raise legitimate concerns about retraumatization and power imbalances; some Canadian jurisdictions restrict or ban restorative justice in IPV cases. The researchers conclude that, when designed carefully and properly funded, restorative justice could offer survivors an additional meaningful pathway to justice.

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