Punch: Restorative Justice in the theatre
A play about Restorative Justice
James Graham’s play ‘Punch‘, which concluded it’s sold-out run in Nottingham last year is now coming to the Young Vic theatre in London. The play follows the story of Jacob Dunne, a young man who’s “impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences” and his journey through Restorative Justice, after the victims’ parents asked to meet him. The play is based on Jacob Dunne’s book, Right from Wrong.
The five-star play, which runs from 1st of March to the 26th of April 2025, is a unique opportunity to spread the word about the power of Restorative Justice to a new audience.
Hear Jacob’s story in his own words
Have you been affected by crime? Are you interested in Restorative Justice?
Many people affected by crime are left with unanswered questions, or never getting the chance to have their say. Those who have committed a crime may want to explain their actions, or make amends for the harm they caused.
If you would like support to find out more about Restorative Justice and whether it might be right for you, you can contact us via info@why-me.org or find your local Restorative Justice service via our map.
What is Restorative Justice?
- Restorative Justice is a safe and controlled process that typically brings together someone harmed by a crime and the person that committed the crime, to have an open and meaningful dialogue.
- It is completely voluntary for both the victim and the perpetrator, and they can withdraw at any point.
- It won’t go ahead unless trained experts are happy that the process is safe.
- No-one should be excluded from taking part because of the type of crime they experienced, instead, safety and suitability should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
- There is a significant period of preparation before any intervention takes place, where Restorative Justice facilitators will meet each party individually and assess what their needs are and how they can best be met.
- Restorative Justice can look different for everyone, it could be a face to face meeting, a letter exchange, a shuttle process (where messages are passed through a facilitator) or a creative way to make amends.
Restorative Justice works
- 85% victim satisfaction rate
- Reduces reoffending by 14-27%
- For every £1 invested, £14 is saved
It is a right under the Victims Code of Practice for all victims of crime to be given information on Restorative Justice (Right 3). But, research shows that less than 6% of victims of crime recall being told about it.
Spreading the word
Since there is such low awareness of Restorative Justice and what it is, it is crucial that we take this opportunity while the play is running to spread the word amongst the general public. We are running a campaign to promote the play and encourage people to understand what their rights are around Restorative Justice.
You can help us spread the word by talking to friends, family and colleagues about Restorative Justice. How about you start by sharing the short film below?