Restorative Justice Week 2025: RJ as a human right
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter.
Restorative Justice Week is fast approaching, taking place between the 16th to the 22nd of November this year. The week is a time for the sector to come together, celebrate our progress, share best practice, and highlight the barriers still to be dismantled to widen access to Restorative Justice. It is also an ideal opportunity to reach beyond the restorative sector, and help people in the wider Criminal Justice System, and the general public to learn about what Restorative Justice is and how it can support people affected by crime.
The European Forum for Restorative Justice have recently announced their theme for this year as ‘Restorative Justice as a human right’. They came up with this theme as the result of consultation with restorative organisations, academics and professionals across Europe. The theme explores the implications of Restorative Justice becoming a human right – Would this be beneficial? What would it look like in practice? What would this mean for victims of crime?
Now is an ideal time to begin thinking about this theme and how you or your organisation could respond to it. Consulting with people who have lived-experience, considering how a human right would impact your day-to-day work and writing down your thoughts on the benefits and risks of this approach are all useful ways to get ready for the week.
How can you prepare?
Many restorative organisations will be hosting events throughout the week and sharing new content. It is also a good time to reshare simple ‘explainer’ content that can reach people who are less familiar with Restorative Justice. You can see examples of this type of content in our ‘What is Restorative Justice?’ leaflet, Restorative Justice animation, or the short film on our home page. Feel free to share these resources with your own audience if that would help, and please credit Why me? when you do so.
Don’t forget to flick through our ‘How to communicate Restorative Justice effectively’ guide when planning your communications for the week. Usually Why me? use the hashtags #RJWeek, and #RJWeek2025 on social media, so that is a great way to join the conversation.
You can feed into the EFRJ’s planning for the week via a form on their website. They also share a map every year of events going on across Europe so, if you have one planned, let them know.
We will be sharing another blog nearer the time, sharing what you can expect over the course of the week. Make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter so you don’t miss anything.
