The theme of this webinar is Honoring All Victims. What does this mean? We asked a colleague who identifies as a survivor of sexual violence. Here’s what she shared:
It means recognizing that many victims were failed by a society that falls short on keeping people safe. It means doing something about it. It means understanding why our justice and legal systems miss the mark on sexual crimes. We support and honor victims when we educate communities about failed policies that do not keep them safe. We honor victims when we show them ways to overcome their trauma instead of carrying it around with vengeance for years to come. We honor victims when we work with legislators to improve policies and enact laws that will do a better job of keeping communities safe. We even honor victims when we support the rehabilitation and successful reentry of those who have caused harm.
In this webinar we will hear three different stories of lived experience. As John Braithwaite (Professor at the Australian National University) is fond of saying, if crime hurts, justice requires the mending or healing of these visceral injuries, otherwise it remains partial at best and re-victimizing at worst. Healing is something the punitive justice system largely fails to deliver, because punishment does little or nothing to heal, either the offender or the victim.
While restorative justice may not yet be “mainstream” it should be. People who have been harmed deserve to be given choices. Restorative justice is a worthy alternative to the punitive system. Let’s learn more from our panel.
Panelists
Dr. Alissa R. Ackerman
Ampersands Restorative Justice
(Read bio here)
Gretchen Casey
The Amend Initiative
(Read bio here)
Philip Kaso
NARSOL Director
(Read bio here)
Moderator
Cindy Prizio
Executive Director, One Standard of Justice
Co-Sponsor
Sen. Gary Winfield
Senate Chair Judiciary Committee
(Read bio here)