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.
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Please contact us if you have an interest or passion for Restorative Justice and want to become involved!
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Who we are
WHAT WE DO
We believe in creating a restorative community, one where restorative practices are woven into the many diverse relationships within Salt Spring Island, whether that be in our homes, workplaces, neighbourhoods, or governance models.
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Restorative Practices are centred around the importance of deepening relationships and they also recognize that conflict and harm are an inevitable part of people living together in a community. It is how we respond and repair harm that creates a restorative community because to accept responsibility and take accountability, individuals first need to feel safe and supported enough to do so. This is why deepening relationships is at the core of Restorative Justice work - it’s what makes a healthy community, one that not only supports the repairing of harm but also in its prevention.
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We receive referrals from the RCMP which include non-violent crimes (e.g. shoplifting, theft, vandalism, causing a disturbance, fraud, forgery, uttering threats, taking an auto without the owner’s consent, possession of a small quantity of illegal drugs and minor cases of assault). The program is able to receive all kinds of criminal and non-criminal cases, including incidents of harm and conflict.
We also accept referrals from community member, local organizations, and businesses.
A large part of RJSSI’s work is supporting School District 64 in long-lasting systemic change through the implementation of Restorative Responses. In addition to amending school policy and protocol around discipline, conflict, and harm, multiple training sessions with teachers, staff, administration, and parents were facilitated in 2023. The growth of RJ Practices in SD64 will continue into the new year. Stay tuned for updates.
We believe that Restorative Practices, through Circle and Restorative Dialogue strengthen and build relationships and connections between individuals and communities. They bridge differences through respect, empathy, and understanding. Community Circles offer an opportunity for engagement, connection, and learning about the values and practice of restorative justice. Over the years, RJSSI has facilitated a number of meaningful dialogues surrounding important issues in our community.
Please reach out if you think we can help.
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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 victim of) a crime?
AFFECTED PEOPLE
(Victims of Crime)
Most people who have been affected by harm and take part in an RJ process are very satisfied with the experience and results. Participants say they are listened to and acknowledged, receive answers to their questions and experience an increased sense of safety. They often appreciate the opportunity to give input into the consequences for the person who caused harm.
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RJ gives you the opportunity to ask questions of the person who caused the harm, tell them the effect their actions had on you, hold the person who caused the harm accountable for their actions and discuss what they can do to make things right. They can repair the harm of you and the community in ways that can be more meaningful than through other criminal justice processes.
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You have the choice of how you take part in the Restorative Justice process and you can change your mind about taking part at any time. Our team will work with you to prepare to meet the person who caused you harm. You have control throughout the process about how it will go. You can either meet face to face or choose other ways to communicate with them. The meetings aim to give everyone an opportunity to speak and be heard. They often work better if there are people to support you. The RJ facilitator can discuss with you who to invite. The person who caused the harm also has the chance to bring someone for support.
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Are you responsible for (an offender of) a crime?
RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE
(offenders)
To participate in the Restorative Justice process, you must do so voluntarily and acknowledge that you are responsible for your actions and the harm you caused. You may stop RJ at any point and return to the criminal justice process.
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Reasons to stay involved with RJ are having the opportunity to speak with the person you harmed to find out how the harm affected them and to find ways to repair the harm that you caused.
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RJ meetings aim to give everyone an opportunity to speak and be heard. The meetings often work better if there are people to support you. The RJ facilitator can discuss with you who to invite. The person affected by the harm also has the chance to bring someone for support.
Imagine a justice process where we address the victim’s needs, hold offenders responsible for their crimes and the harm they have caused and reintegrate them back into the community.
Restorative justice works to repair harm done to victims and to communities. It holds people who are responsible for harm accountable for their actions. RJSSI seeks ways to make restitution meaningful and to heal the relationship between individuals and the community by working together to rebuild trust and bringing everyone into the circle of responsibility. Everyone has a role in restorative justice. It provides an alternative to the retributive court system.
RJ emphasizes healing, repairing relationships and repairing harm by:
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addressing the needs of the person affected by the harm
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holding the person who caused the harm accountable for their actions
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engaging the community in the justice process
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providing an opportunity for everyone affected by the harm to talk about what happened, the effect it had on them and what can be done to repair the harm
We value accountability, safety, dignity, belonging, respect and connection for everybody.
WHAT is
Restorative Justice?
VOLUNTEER
Volunteering with RJSSI can be a meaningful way to give back to our commnuity.
There are many ways to volunteer for Restorative Justice Salt Spring.
Volunteer opportunities include being a committee member, a case facilitator or a peace circle facilitator, maintaining our website, and promoting us in the community.
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The application process includes a criminal record check, references, and interview process.
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Case facilitators complete a multi-day training on restorative justice techniques and processes before co-facilitating cases.
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Contact us by email to inquire about volunteering.
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