No to Violence Conference 2022: “Shifting the Burden - it all starts and begins with men”
Adelaide, Kuarna Country, 1 - 4 August 2022

No to Violence Conference 2022: Shifting the Burden will start a conversation that changes the focus of family and domestic violence in Australia, shifting the burden of responsibility from victim-survivors and placing it firmly on the men who use violence. No to Violence will bring together national and international leaders in the field to showcase research, innovative thinking and best practice work to help reduce – and end – men’s family violence.

The conference will open challenging conversations about how to work with men who use family violence, as well as best practice approaches to engage them in the process to change their behaviour. Transforming Justice Australia hosted a panel discussion with restorative practitioners from around the country including: Renee Handsaker, Open Circle, Centre for Innovative Justice (Victoria), Chay Brown, Equality Institute (Northern Territory), Leigh Garrett, Community Transitions (South Australia) and Amanda Lutz, former Manager Restorative Justice Unit (ACT). Click here to see a recording of the event and individual panel discussion link coming soon.

Australian National University, “Survivor Initiated Restorative Justice Symposium”
Canberra, Nunngerwal Country, 27 August 2021

The Australia National University convened a Symposium on Survivor Initiated-Restorative Justice as a Pathway to Justice for Sexual Assault. The aim of the Symposium was to highlight the role that restorative justice can play in addressing the needs of survivors of sexual assault in the ACT. Sexual violence in Australia is endemic and broad scale cultural change is urgently required. The Symposium sought to identify what restorative pathways are currently open to survivors, and what other ones could be developed, and how.

Click here to view the recording including Thea Deakin-Greenwood from Transforming Justice Australasia speaking on a panel with other restorative advocates.

Victorian Law Week Webinar
Melbourne, Yuin Country, June 2021

The criminal justice system’s response to sexual harm fails most victim/survivors. Reports of victim/survivors’ experiences in workplaces, homes and in public indicate that a single, criminal justice response to this pervasive behaviour will not meet many victim/survivors concepts of justice. We need a range of responses to address the justice gap experienced by victim/survivors of sexual harm.

Restorative justice can offer processes that meet the unmet justice needs of victim/survivors in ways that don’t perpetuate further harm. In this discussion, practitioners and experts from the Centre for Innovative Justice’s restorative justice arm, Open Circle, along with experts from Transforming Justice Australia and accountability specialists will explore the challenges, opportunities and necessary safeguards in approaching this work.
Click here to view the recording.

Women’s Legal Services Webinar: Achieving Accountability?
Sydney, Gadigal Country, June 2021

Transforming Justice Australia’s primary objective is to advance survivor-oriented, restorative justice responses to sexual and family violence. Transforming Justice Australia is a unique restorative justice program in Australia that focuses on, and is guided by, the needs and perspectives of survivors of sexual and family violence. The project combines research and practice to develop initiatives to advance and promote restorative justice practices in NSW for adults, children and young people harmed by sexual violence. The project’s vision is to provide access to alternative and innovative approaches to addressing the harm of sexual and family violence. While survivor oriented it also supports and advocates for community support and evidence based practices for people responsible for harm.

In this seminar we will explore the research and illustrate restorative methods in practise, with some case studies. We will look at the question of accountability, and the ways in which non-custodial and non-punitive responses could bring compassionate and lasting behavioural change, where accountability and forgiveness are at the fore.

For comment in relation to sexual assault, restorative justice and related topics, please contact our media team.

We aim to contribute comments about restorative justice that draws on good practice and evidence, and to elevate the voices of those with lived experience.

Please get in touch with our media team if you would like to speak with us about a news articles or story. Thank you

Coming soon.

Media comment and case studies