MEDIA RELEASE: Restorative justice pathways considered for the first time as part of national strategy to address sexual violence
13 March 2025
On Thursday 13 March Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) held its online launch event for its new report, Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence, after tabling it on Thursday 6 March.
Transforming Justice Australia (TJA) welcomes the report's recommendations on restorative justice (pages 58–60), which call for the expansion of restorative justice options for survivors of sexual violence. This includes a groundbreaking proposal to introduce legislation making restorative justice a formal practice across all states and territories. These recommendations are first time restorative justice has been seriously considered as part of any national strategy to address sexual violence.
Transforming Justice was cited a number of times and was pleased to be identified as one of the few community-based restorative justice organisations currently providing specialist services in response to sexual harm.
Restorative justice offers a vitally needed survivor centred process that provides opportunities for acknowledgement, validation, accountability and healing in ways that traditional responses to sexual harm cannot offer.
One of the remarkable survivors of sexual harm who has engaged with Transforming Justice told us:
“The transformative (restorative) justice process has changed my life for the better... I am more confident and expressive with my thoughts and emotions because I've been heard and listened to. Going through the process by stating the impacts the events have had on myself, and giving an opportunity for others to speak about their perspective allowed me to process and organise my thoughts holistically and manage my emotions.
With validation and accountability from the perpetrator, I genuinely felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I’m no longer carrying the burden of my past experiences and can now feel happiness, joy and live in the moment. My self-worth and trust have improved immensely which has allowed me to make decisions that better my wellbeing which enhances all the dimensions of my life. Transforming Justice Australia listened to my goal and made it into a reality going above and beyond my expectations”
- Survivor
A sexual assault counsellor who supported a survivor through a restorative process told us that:
“The person who was harmed, her wishes and safety were prioritised above everything else, what she said was heard and respected... It's certainly made me realise there are much better alternatives to the criminal justice system which is so often re-traumatising, inadequate and abusive. I will be talking to future clients about the restorative justice process - it will change my practice with the people I am supporting...” - Sexual Assault Counsellor
Many survivors don’t want the options available through the criminal or civil law system, but right now, survivor-centred restorative justice in response to sexual harm is only available through a handful of private practitioners and specialised services, significantly limiting access for survivors. Transforming Justice receives no Government funding at either a state or federal level and relies on grants and donations to provide free services in the community.
There are also limited options for people accountable for sexual harm to access safe, specialist support services and treatment – a problem that Transforming Justice is attending to with a new initiative called REVIVE, a restorative education program for people at risk of or responsible for causing harm and their families.
Thea Deakin-Greenwood, Director and co-Founder of Transforming Justice Australia, says:
“The people who engage in restorative processes come from all parts of the community, are all ages, genders, sexualities and cultural backgrounds and their choice to have access to trauma informed specialist restorative justice is an important one. When combined with specialist support, we know that these processes can be transformational for everyone involved – for the person harmed, the person who caused the harm, and often for family members and loved ones in the community too.”
Jane Bolitho, Director of Research and Strategy and co-Founder of Transforming Justice Australia, says:
“We welcome and strongly support these recommendations because they align with international evidence and best practice.”
TJA joins with partners in our sector to strongly urge the Federal and State Governments to implement the recommendations of the report to broaden — and appropriately resource — restorative justice pathways on a national scale.
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Thea and Jane are available for interview upon request.
Contact:
Madeleine Burkitt | Media and Campaigns Specialist | madeleine@transformingjustice.org.au | 0435045516
Transforming Justice Australia provides community based restorative justice responses to sexual abuse and related harm. We work with people harmed by & people responsible for sexual abuse, their family members & communities. Values of voice, accountability, dignity, choice and hope guide our work. www.transformingjustice.org.au