I’ve heard the communication pitfall . . . sending “mixed messages”. Urban dictionary gives this example:
A friend tells you he wants to remain “just friends,” and then proceeds to call you every day, text message you twice a day, and express how much he misses you on a regular basis.
I am not recommending mixed messages, but I want to illustrate that Restorative Justice – really holds two seemingly different things, at the same time.
For example:
“I don’t like what you did. I want to support you”
“You are not a bad person. That behavior is wrong.”
When I started my employment with SCVRJP I used Lady Justice
on letterhead and my business cards. I got feedback from the Board of Directors it was too close to the formal system. I stopped using this image.
You see, I saw the scale. Balancing two things at once. I saw: Needs/Harms. Victim/Offender. Accountability/Healing.
Years later, I wonder what the formal system would say is on the scales. Maybe: Community/Due Process. Is the Lady of Justice the Constitution? The scales would be the process. So much of the formal system is about the process. This hearing, than that hearing. This step of the process. That’s not my area of expertise . . . my area is Restorative Justice.
RJ can hold mixed messages. That’s why understanding the concept is difficult. RJ encourages victim and offender (when victim is willing) dialouge. That seems counter-intuitive. The reality is that when crime occurs an involuntary relationship is formed. Helping people prepare to come together, and clearing a pathway for meaningful discussion is Restorative Justice.
Giving victims a space to speak – and speak to the person who caused the harm. Seems a little mixed at first glance.
It’s helpful. I’ve seen it time and time and reseach shows, victims are more satisfied with Restorative Jusitce – compared to traditional court process.
What about the mixed message with offenders. Offenders have harmed the community. Restorative Jusitce gives space for offenders to give back to the community. Huh? seems mixed up. Really it’s not, how do we expect people to be different if we don’t provide a stage for that to occur?
I think Restorative Justice practitioners are a unique breed of people. The willingness to step out of bounds, to do something that even 10 years ago was barely in the margins. Now we are talking about moving the process “mainstream”. I think it will be important to keep balanced . . . mainstream on one side of the scale and committment to core Restorative Justice on the other.
1 Comment
May 27, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Gosh, that was a good point. Things I never thought of before. Thanks