Devon and Cornwall: Getting senior leader buy-in and educating professionals
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter. What happens when you put senior decision-makers, people with lived experience of Restorative Justice, an expert RJ service and a range of criminal justice professionals in a room to discuss Restorative Justice? Transformation, commitment and lasting change are some of the words […]
What would it take to move Restorative Justice from the margins into the mainstream?
This is a guest blog by Srila Devi, a freelance journalist and author, currently training as a restorative practitioner. She writes about restorative justice, psychology and spirituality on her website and Substack, The Deeper Story. Belgium’s new criminal code came into force last week, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to crime […]
Using reflection to set our intentions for 2026
This is a blog by our RJ Programme Manager, Anika Cosgrove. Reflection is fundamental within restorative practice. Reflective learning allows victims, perpetrators and facilitators to understand deeply and use that understanding to take responsibility and be accountable. As we enter a new year, it’s a wonderful opportunity to engage in reflection and frame our […]
Government respond to call for legal right to Restorative Justice
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter. On Monday 9th of February, the Victims and Courts Bill went through the Committee Stage of the House of Lords. Our amendment, which would give victims of crime the legal right to a Restorative Justice referral, was raised by Baroness Brinton and […]
Becoming a Restorative Lawyer
This is a guest blog by Brenda Waugh, author of the book ‘Becoming a Restorative Lawyer’. On an October morning more than a decade ago, I walked into the courthouse with the victim’s uncle. She had been sexually abused by her great-grandfather, and I was prosecuting the offender. I was feeling excited; the case […]
Opening doors: Our journey to a restorative, trauma-informed school
This is a guest blog written by Matthew Poole, Assistant Headteacher, Culture and Welfare, DSL at Rowhill Pupil Referral Unit. In October 2023, our pupil referral unit received a disappointing OFSTED inspection outcome. It was a difficult moment but gave the school an opportunity to reflect on and review our ethos and vision. Since […]
New RJC Report: The Post Office Scandal and Restorative Justice
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter. The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) have recently published their second report on the Post Office Scandal titled ‘Rebuilding Trust: Designing a Restorative Justice Programme with Those Harmed’. In the report, the RJC share that they have now designed a full ‘independent restorative […]
The wow factor of a clever discussion: Sir Charles Pollard’s advice on the best way to communicate Restorative Justice
This is a blog by Why me? Volunteer, Printorn Kordumrong. As one of the pioneers of Restorative Justice being an effective policing tool, Sir Charles Pollard adamantly believes that it is his duty, and the duty of anyone who is a Restorative Justice professional, to communicate how effective it is to everyone around them. […]
How to get the message out about Restorative Justice
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter. Do you ever feel like people don’t understand the true value of Restorative Justice? Do you sometimes feel like you are shouting into a void? Restorative Justice can be a challenge to communicate. Different audiences have different values, meaning that the way […]
The end of hate incidents and the risk to Restorative Justice
This is a blog by our Restorative Justice Programme Manager, Anika Cosgrove and our CEO, Sara Dowling. The Home Secretary recently announced that police in England and Wales will no longer be required to record or investigate non-crime hate incidents. At Why me?, we are concerned about the impact this change will have on […]