The Big Story What is restorative justice and how could it transform our judicial system?
Aug 19, 2025
Amanda Carrasco, a Canadian activist and survivor, shares her transformative journey in the realm of restorative justice. She highlights how this approach contrasts sharply with traditional punishments, focusing on healing and empathy. Amanda recounts her personal experiences, emphasizing community support and the emotional impact of facing a perpetrator. She advocates for holistic alternatives to the judicial system, stressing the importance of funding and awareness while navigating the complex dynamics of forgiveness and healing after trauma.
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Personal Trauma And Survival
- Amanda Carrasco recounts being sexually assaulted repeatedly as a minor and adult and losing family to a murder when she was 16.
- She describes complex, layered trauma that shaped her healing journey and activism.
Restorative Justice Centers Victims
- Restorative justice centers the victim and asks who was harmed, how, and what they need to move forward.
- Amanda argues our adversarial system fails victims, offenders, and communities and restorative approaches heal collectively.
Facing Off With Offenders
- Amanda described two restorative meetings: an informal family conversation and a formal prison circle years later.
- Both encounters offered clarity, difficult confrontation, and meaningful restoration despite risks.
