RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
SALT SPRING ISLAND
A Community Justice Program serving Salt Spring Island
Restoring relationships where there is crime, conflict, or harm
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Contact:
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We acknowledge that re-settlers have appropriated and settled on this land that belongs to the Hul'qumi'num and SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples, including the Quw'utsun First Nation and Tsawout, Tsarlip, and Tseycuum First Nations. We support action item #50 of the TRC report which states 'In keeping with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous organizations, to fund the establishment of Indigenous law institutes for the development, use, and understanding of Indigenous laws and access to justice in accordance with the unique cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada.'
The Salt Spring Island Restorative Justice program started in 1996. It operates under the B.C. Ministry of Justice’s Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division through their Community Accountability Program (CAP).
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Restorative Justice Salt Spring Island (RJSSI) is governed by a Board of Directors and administered by a Program Coordinator. The program is supported by a dedicated and passionate volunteer team consisting of long-time restorative justice practitioners, front-line workers, educators, and community members.
​​Our Vision
We envision a compassionate, inclusive, and safer community where restorative practices are accessible and valued for empowering individuals and repairing harm.
Who We Are
Our Mission
The mission of RJSSI is to strengthen relationships to build a stronger community on Salt Spring Island. This is accomplished by:
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Providing Accessible Restorative Justice Processes that cultivate healing, accountability, and meaningful dialogue
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Facilitating Community-Based Conflict Resolution to repair harm and rebuild trust
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Offering Education and Training in restorative practices to empower individuals and organizations
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Supporting those affected by harm through compassionate listening and tailored resources
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Encouraging a culture of accountability, connection, and care to create lasting positive change
Our Values
We are community members who are passionately committed to achieving our vision and mission. We lead with humility to ensure that:
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We are Empathetic
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We Listen
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We Collaborate
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We are Accountable
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We are Inclusive
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What We Do
At RJSSI, we envision a restorative community—one where restorative practices are woven into the fabric of everyday life on Salt Spring Island. Whether in our homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, or systems of governance, we believe that nurturing relationships is key to creating a safer, more connected community.
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Restorative practices center on building and strengthening relationships. They also recognize a fundamental truth: conflict and harm are a natural part of human connection. What defines a restorative community is not the absence of harm, but how we respond when harm occurs. Accountability and responsibility can only thrive in an environment where people feel safe, seen, and supported. That’s why deep, trusting relationships are at the heart of restorative work—they not only support healing and repair but also help prevent future harm.
RJSSI receives referrals from the RCMP for non-violent offenses, including shoplifting, theft, vandalism, fraud, uttering threats, and minor assaults. We also accept community-based referrals from local organizations, schools, businesses, and individual community members. In each case, we strive to create safer, inclusive spaces for dialogue, healing, and restoration.
A significant part of our work in previous years was in partnership with School District 64, where we supported long-term systemic change through the integration of restorative approaches in school policies and conflict resolution. In 2023, we facilitated multiple training sessions for educators, administrators, staff, and parents, helping to embed restorative practices more deeply into the school environment.
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We also host Community Circles that invite residents into meaningful conversations about issues that matter—offering opportunities to build understanding, bridge differences, and foster belonging. These gatherings are grounded in values of empathy, equity, and shared responsibility.
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If you or someone you know is navigating harm, conflict, or a difficult situation, please reach out. We’re here to listen, and we’re here to help.
What can a restorative process look like?
Do you have a situation of conflict with another that needs resolving?
Have you been affected by an incident which has caused you harm or distress?
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Restorative practices like Peace Making Circles are ones that we can use to assist people to work through conflicts in a respectful way. We can help individuals, neighbours and communities to resolve conflicts, build relationships and create more trust.
for victims of crime
Do you have a situation of conflict with another that needs resolving?
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Restorative practices like Peace Making Circles are ones that we can use to assist people to work through conflicts in a respectful way. We can help individuals, neighbours and communities to resolve conflicts, build relationships and create more trust.
Conflict Resolution
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Have you been affected by a crime, conflict, or harm?
Affected People
For Those Affected by Harm: What to Expect in Restorative Justice
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Many people who have experienced harm and participated in a Restorative Justice (RJ) process describe it as meaningful and empowering. They often say they felt genuinely heard, were able to ask important questions, and gained a stronger sense of understanding, safety, and closure.
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Restorative Justice offers a space where you can:
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Share how the incident affected you—in your own words and in your own time
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Ask questions of the person who caused harm, if you choose
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Be involved in shaping what accountability and repair could look like
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Participate in a process that values your experience and supports healing—not just for you, but for the wider community
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The process is entirely voluntary, and you have the right to choose whether and how you want to participate. You can change your mind at any point. Your needs and comfort guide how the process unfolds—whether that means meeting face to face, exchanging letters, using a representative, or exploring other ways to communicate.
You are never alone in this process. Our team will support you in preparing and making decisions that feel right for you. You’re welcome to bring a support person—someone you trust—to be with you throughout. The person who caused harm may also have someone present to support them.
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Restorative Justice is about creating safer, respectful spaces where people can speak honestly, listen deeply, and begin the work of repair—together. If you're considering this process, know that your voice, safety, and wellbeing will be at the center of every step.
Are you responsible for harm, conflict, or a crime?
Responsible People
Restorative Justice is a voluntary process that invites those involved in harm to come together in a safer, respectful space to talk about what happened, how it impacted everyone involved, and what can be done to make things right.
To take part, you must be willing to engage in the process and take responsibility for your actions and their impact. You can choose to withdraw from the process at any time. If this is an RCMP referral, and participants decide to withdraw from the process, the case may return to the criminal legal system.
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People often choose to stay involved in Restorative Justice because it offers a meaningful opportunity to:
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Hear directly from the person impacted by the harm, if they choose to participate
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Understand how your actions affected others
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Take active steps to repair the harm and rebuild trust
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Be part of a respectful, humanizing process that focuses on accountability, healing, and growth
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Restorative meetings are structured to ensure that everyone has a voice and is listened to with care. You are welcome and encouraged to bring someone with you for support—this could be a friend, family member, or trusted community member.
The facilitator will work with you to decide who to invite. The person affected by the harm will also have the opportunity to bring someone with them.
Together, we work toward shared understanding, repair, and stronger community relationships.
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If you have any questions or concerns about the process, please speak with your facilitator—they are here to support you every step of the way.
Imagine a justice process rooted in compassion, accountability, and healing — where the voices and needs of those who have been harmed are centered, those who have caused harm are supported in taking meaningful responsibility, and the community works together to repair relationships and restore trust.
At Restorative Justice Salt Spring Island (RJSSI), we support processes that invite healing and connection. Restorative justice offers a pathway to understanding and repairing the harm caused by conflict or wrongdoing. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, we create spaces where people can come together — those who were harmed, those who caused harm, and those impacted — to talk about what happened, how it affected them, and what might help make things right.
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Restorative justice is about:
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Supporting the needs of the person harmed, including opportunities to be heard, ask questions, and be part of identifying what might help repair the harm.
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Encouraging meaningful accountability for the person who caused harm — not through shame or punishment, but through reflection, dialogue, and active steps to repair and rebuild.
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Engaging the broader community to play a role in healing and reintegration, recognizing that harm and healing don’t happen in isolation.
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Honouring complexity and nuance in every situation, understanding that conflict rarely fits into a simple story of right and wrong. RJSSI supports all parties with care and equity, creating space for everyone’s truth and humanity.
Restorative justice isn’t an easy path — it asks for courage, honesty, and care. But it’s a process that can lead to
deeper healing, stronger relationships, and safer communities.
At RJSSI, we believe that everyone has a role in creating a more just and compassionate community.
What is Restorative Justice?
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Interested in Volunteering?
Volunteering with RJSSI is a meaningful way to support healing and connection in our community.
Restorative Justice Salt Spring Island (RJSSI) relies on the passion and dedication of volunteers to help respond to harm and conflict in ways that are compassionate, inclusive, and repair-focused. Volunteering with us can be a significant commitment — especially when supporting restorative justice cases — but it is also deeply rewarding and impactful.
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There are many ways to get involved:
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Supporting restorative justice casework as a facilitator or peace circle co-lead
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Joining a committee to support governance or outreach
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Helping with community engagement, event coordination, or promotion
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Assisting with website updates and communications
Facilitators receive comprehensive, multi-day training in restorative justice principles and practices before co-facilitating any cases. All volunteers go through an application process that includes a criminal record check, references, and an interview.
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Whether you're looking to support others through direct facilitation or help strengthen our organization behind the scenes, there's a place for you at RJSSI.
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To learn more or apply, email us at info@rjssi.org. We’d love to hear from you.
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