My journey to Restorative Justice
This is a blog by Cheryl Jacob, newly recruited Team Administrator at Why me?.
I found the recent job posting for Team Administrator at Why me? at an incredibly opportune time in my life. I had decided on a change of career and was intent on finding work in an organisation that was determined to do good. I clicked through to Why me?’s website and began to read. Some time later I was still engrossed.
A child within my close family was recently a target of bullying in school. The school is a large secondary school with an excellent academic reputation and a strict behaviour policy. The behaviour of the bullies had progressed to the extent that the parents felt it was necessary to step in and report it, and the school’s robust anti-bullying procedures were cranked to a start. Evidence of the most serious incident was proven, the perpetrators were hauled in front of the head teacher and punished with a two week exclusion. At this point, the involvement of the bullied child’s parents ceased and it was assumed the harmed child would continue on with their school life, case closed.
Being a teacher is an incredibly challenging vocation, and those who dedicate their working lives to inspiring, motivating and educating our next generation deserve great respect. Effectively and empathetically tackling behavioural issues within schools is an enormous challenge. But my experience being involved with the fallout of this bullying incident led me to think about how situations like these are dealt with, and whether the processes are effective.
Questions formed in my mind such as: Who benefits from the exclusion of the harmers? How could the harmed child begin to trust the school environment and feel safe again? Could the two sides be encouraged to understand why and how the bullying began? And, if they wished to, how could the harmers make amends?
I have no doubt that many of you reading this have a similar story to tell. The themes of restorative practice are found all around us, in all areas of our lives, whether or not we are aware of the terminology. As I begin to understand more about the vital work of Why me? and other organisations involved in lobbying for, increasing awareness of, and delivering Restorative Justice, I find the central messages more and more compelling. RJ is transformative, RJ promotes healing and recovery, RJ empowers everyone affected by crime to communicate and move forwards.
I’m delighted to report that I’m settling into my second month in the job and I’m excited for a future under our new Government where people affected by crime are supported and rehabilitated.
