Too often, society is quick to define people by their worst moment. One mistake, one poor decision, one conflict, or one period of struggle can become a permanent label, and suddenly a person is treated as though they no longer belong. At a time when so many people are asking for less polarization and more understanding, we have an opportunity to rethink how we respond when harm occurs. Restorative justice offers a different starting point: instead of asking, “What rule was broken and what...

Restorative justice is an approach to conflict that focuses on repairing the harm rather than simply punishing the person who caused it. When practiced correctly, restorative justice is community-led. Today, it is used in schools, courts, prisons, and communities through practices such as victim-offender dialogues, mediation, and restorative circles. Restorative justice practices, however, are rooted in longstanding Indigenous and community-based traditions that emphasize accountability,...

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