Healing the harm caused by offending
Restorative Justice gives victims and offenders of crime the opportunity to talk to each other in a safe and supportive environment and discuss how the harm might be repaired. It is a process that:
- Places victims at the centre and seeks to heal the effects of crime and wrong doing.
- Gives those who have been harmed a way to have a voice and seek ways to have their needs met.
- Allows people that have caused harm to understand the source of their behaviour, take responsibility for their choices, and to learn and grow from the experience (which is an incredibly hard thing to do – RJ is not easy)
It is about community:
- RJ can empower communities to deal with offending according to their own values.
It is professional:
- Our facilitators are trained and accredited to work with people.
Why take part?
It gives those who have been harmed a way to have a voice and seek ways to have their needs met. It gives those who have committed an offence a way to take responsibility for the harm they have caused and start putting things right.
How does the Restorative Justice process work?
- An offender pleads guilty to the offence and agrees to take part in a meeting.
- The victim(s) are interested in finding out more about restorative justice
- Trained facilitators meet separately with each party and their support people
- If appropriate, a conference is held with the involved parties and their support people.
- For Court-based referrals, a report of the conference is sent to the court.
When can RJ take place?
- Prior to sentencing
- After sentencing
- Prior to release from prison
Our Restorative Justice Team
Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley provides Restorative Justice services in the wider Wellington region.
To access our free services:
04 460 4460
restorativejustice@wclc.org.nz
Staff working in this area
Esther Gedye Taylor is the Wellington District Court Coordinator. You can contact her on 022 123 6065 or esther@wclc.org.nz
Queenie Scott-Murray is the Porirua Disctirct Court Coordinator. You can contact her on 022 479 4113 or queenie@wclc.org.nz
Brooke Cootes is the Hutt Valley District Court Coordinator. You can contact her on 021 190 2437 or Brooke@wclc.org.nz
Madi Pomana supports the team. Madi’s contact email is madi@wclc.org.nz
Naomi Taylor is the Kaihautū / Manager of the team. Naomi’s contact email is naomi@wclc.org.nz