Transforming Justice Australia was founded by Dr Jane Bolitho, an academic and international expert in restorative justice and practices; and Thea Deakin-Greenwood, a community lawyer working with survivors of sexual violence. Jane and Thea saw a need to develop a service that responded to the needs, wishes and hopes of survivors; to provide survivors choice and opportunities for meaningful justice; to encourage active accountability from those responsible and to recognise the importance of family members and community in responding to sexual abuse. Transforming Justice Australia honours these motivations, incorporates their experience and builds upon the existing evidence-base of good restorative practice.

Transforming Justice Australia has grown organically to respond to the needs and issues in the community and has benefitted from the guidance and encouragement of mentors, the restorative community, survivors, those responsible and their advocates.

While in its foundational stages, Transforming Justice Australia benefitted from financial, operational and other support from Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre (now Central Tablelands and Blue Mountains Community Legal Centre). Since 2022, Transforming Justice Australia has been auspiced by Community Restorative Centre. This support has enabled us to focus on our core areas of work: practice, research, specialist advisory services, advocacy and training. 

We are grateful for financial support from Westpac and Snow Foundation, and in kind support from The Hub Australia as well as our many advisors and mentors. We are grateful to the volunteer support, in kind advice and support from many colleagues and guides and also to Emma from Pip and Pod and Bianca Campbell.

Transforming Justice Australia’s work continues to evolve, be informed by lived and learnt experience and emerging practices both in Australia and from around the world. On this, we acknowledge and pay respects to the knowledge and experience of pioneering restorative justice projects around the world such as RESTORE Arizona, Project Restore, New Zealand and Community Justice Initiatives Waterloo.