Applying Restorative Justice to Campus Sexual Misconduct: A Guide to Emerging Practices
Oct 18, 2023
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Leaders in restorative justice, Erik Wessel and Kaaren Williamsen, discuss applying restorative justice to campus sexual misconduct. They emphasize the need for healing, accountability, and learning. They delve into survivors' experiences, the ripple effects of misconduct, and the importance of educational interventions. They encourage further exploration and highlight the contributions of individuals in the field.
Restorative justice processes can facilitate healing, accountability, and learning in response to campus sexual misconduct.
Institutions need to embrace restorative approaches to address sexual misconduct, focusing on healing, prevention, and understanding rather than punishment.
Deep dives
The Ripple Effects of Sexual Misconduct on Campus
Sexual and gender-based misconduct on campus has far-reaching impacts beyond individual experiences, affecting class groups and student organizations. It is crucial for institutions to address these ripple harms and work towards repairing the harm caused. The book "Applying Restorative Justice to Campus Sexual Misconduct" explores this topic, featuring the insights of various authors and practitioners. The book provides guidance on starting the restorative justice process, delves into specific processes and interventions, and emphasizes the role of restorative facilitators in responding to sexual and gender-based harm. It also features topical essays that offer wisdom and contextualize the implementation of restorative justice practices on campuses.
The Need for Restorative Approaches in Addressing Sexual Misconduct
Traditional investigative resolution options for sexual misconduct cases may not cater to the needs of all individuals seeking assistance. The book emphasizes the importance of embracing restorative justice as an alternative approach that focuses on healing, accountability, and meeting the needs of survivors. Restorative justice helps shift the focus from punishment to understanding, prevention, and learning. By taking a restorative lens, institutions can better respond to cases of sexual misconduct and provide survivors and respondents with options that empower them and address the harm caused.
Creating a Culture of Trust and Healing
Trust is a significant factor in addressing sexual misconduct and repairing the harm it causes. The book highlights the need for institutions to rebuild and maintain trust by adopting restorative approaches. This involves ensuring that processes and interventions are trauma-informed, compassionate, and grounded in a philosophy of healing rather than adversarial resolution. By offering restorative options, institutions can work towards restoring trust and providing spaces for survivors and respondents to be heard, understood, and supported in their healing and growth journeys.
Championing Restorative Approaches and Expanding Awareness
The successful implementation of restorative justice in addressing campus sexual misconduct requires champions within institutions who can lead the way and help others understand the benefits and possibilities of restorative approaches. The book underlines the importance of educators, administrators, and practitioners working together to communicate the availability of these alternatives to traditional processes. By expanding awareness, institutions can empower students, faculty, and staff to consider restorative justice as a viable option, transforming the way sexual misconduct cases are handled and fostering a culture of healing, accountability, and prevention.
Join two leaders in restorative justice, campus conduct, and addressing sexual misconduct as they discuss the cautions, possibilities, and imperatives of applying restorative justice to campus sexual misconduct from their new book. Drs. Erik Wessel and Kaaren Williamsen discuss the need for, case for, and how to of restorative justice processes to make possible healing, accountability, and learning and unlearning.
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