Restorative Justice from a Children’s Rights Perspective
This is a blog by our Communications and Events Officer Keeva Baxter.
Restorative Justice and trauma-informed practice are often seen as conflicting principles. However, they can be used in combination to help protect the rights of young people affected by crime. Many young people caught up in the Criminal Justice System have been the victim of crime or suffered harm themselves, meaning there is significant crossover between the ‘harmed’ and ‘harmer’ role.
Why me? are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity to explore these ideas and learn new skills to implement in your practice when working with young people. On the 20th and 21st of September, join expert trainers Tim Chapman and Annemieke Wolthuis for a two-day in-person training course on ‘Restorative Justice from a Children’s Rights Perspective’. The training, which is based on Tim and Annemieke’s recent book of the same title, will explore the intersection between restorative practice and trauma-informed practice. The interactive sessions will give you the chance to connect with others in the field, learn some new techniques and work directly with experts to develop your skills.
Some previous attendees of the training said the following:
“We are still thinking a lot about the new knowledge we got at the exciting training, we are very inspired.”
“The training was great, the atmosphere was relaxed and it was easy to take part in the dialogue.”
“Thank you Tim Chapman and Annemieke Wolthuis for your great training for us! What a pleasure it was to learn, share and reflect together in your restorative guidance! Feeling safe, excited and empowered!”
Meet the trainers
Tim Chapman had a lengthy career in the Probation Service in Northern Ireland. He spent 10 years as a lecturer in Restorative Practices at the University of Ulster. He teaches as visiting
professor at the University of Sassari and at the University of Strathclyde. He publishes widely on restorative justice. Tim was the chair of the board of the European Forum for Restorative Justice for the last 4 years and is still a board member.
Annemieke Wolthuis has been involved in children’s rights and Restorative Justice for over 20 years. She is a researcher and trainer at Restorative Justice Nederland, a guest lecturer at various universities and schools, a mediator in youth cases, and a substitute youth judge at the Court of Rotterdam. Annemieke has served two terms as a board member of the European Forum for Restorative Justice, during the last 6 years as the vice-chair.