This research examines how restorative justice can and is being used to address the harms following sexual violence in the Australian Capital Territory. Our focus is exploring pathways beyond the criminal legal system, as many sexual violence survivors do not report to police, and the ACT’s formal restorative justice pathway remains accessible largely only through police reporting. Through stakeholder interviews, this study reveals significant demand for justice pathways that can provide acknowledgement, accountability and healing, without necessarily requiring legal system engagement. The research identifies existing informal restorative justice practices, including community-facilitated processes, youth circles and institutional responses, but finds that they are fragmented and precarious. Multiple barriers impede expanded implementation of restorative approaches: practical constraints, cultural concerns, emotional barriers and institutional risk aversion. The report proposes a pluralistic approach that balances formal structures with community-led initiatives, centres survivor voice and agency, and embeds trauma-informed practice. Strategic recommendations emphasise adequate resourcing, skills development and genuine partnership with civil society to create responsive, culturally safe pathways to justice.
Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Acronyms
- Abstract
- Executive summary
- Background
- Research focus
- Key findings
- Implementation principles
- Strategic recommendations
- Conclusion
- Introduction
- A discussion on terminology
- Literature review
- Four key drivers of change
- Current landscape of restorative justice for sexual violence
- Challenges and considerations
- Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry
- Conclusion
- Research design and methodology
- The current research
- The Australian Capital Territory as a case study
- Research questions and methodology
- The legal system pathway to restorative justice
- Current limitations of the legal system approach to sexual violence
- Evolution of formal restorative justice pathways in the ACT
- Strengths of the current pathway to restorative justice
- Challenges impeding uptake and availability
- Conclusion: Balancing formality and flexibility
- Alternative pathways to RJ and appetite for an expansive vision
- Existing alternative pathways
- Reflection on identified practices
- Appetite for an expansive vision
- Addressing justice gaps with restorative justice
- Summary: Multiple justice pathways
- Barriers, gaps and risks in expanding alternative pathways to restorative justice
- Barriers to accessing alternative pathways
- Gaps in non-CLS service provision
- Risks and resistance points in alternative pathways
- Conclusion
- Implementing an expansive restorative justice vision
- Guiding principles for implementation
- Envisioning a pluralistic approach to restorative justice
- Broader context: Canberra as a restorative city
- Implications for key stakeholders
- Conclusion: The path forward
- References
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