Notions of restorative justice and violence

The current offender-oriented justice system has several disadvantages, such as high costs, significant re-offending rates and difficulty in meeting victims' needs. Consequently, governments and communities have been searching for alternative approaches to crime that are both fiscally responsible and have better outcomes for victims and their families. Restorative justice is one of these alternatives. It is victim-focused, solution rather than problem based and its aims include holding offenders accountable, empowering the victim, and strengthening a supportive community. This chapter begins by exploring the origins of restorative justice and how it has been incorporated within the criminal justice system in Aotearoa New Zealand. It then examines how restorative justice has been used in cases of violent offences. Although evidence supporting the effectiveness of restorative justice for violent crimes is scarce, notions of restorative justice are increasingly influencing formal and informal processes, and are seen as potentially offering an alternative to more traditional offender-oriented justice systems.