Frequently Asked Questions

Restorative justice is based on the understanding that crime causes harm — not just to individuals, but to families and communities too.

Restorative justice brings together people who are connected to an incident. This can include the person who was harmed, the person responsible,

and others who can offer support.

Together, they talk about what happened, what led up to it, how people were affected, and what is needed to make things right and move forward.

Restorative justice is also about relationships. It focuses on how we treat one another and how harm affects our connections with others.

The goal is not punishment, but understanding, accountability, and healing. Restorative justice helps create respectful and healthy relationships between individuals,

families, communities, and systems.

Restorative justice is not the same as Indigenous approaches to justice.

Indigenous justice practices existed long before the current justice system and have been used for thousands of years to resolve conflict and restore balance.

Many restorative justice programs have learned from Indigenous legal traditions and continue to be guided by this knowledge, with respect and care.

The Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program (NSRJP) is available across the province.

The program works with youth and adults who have come into contact with the law. It began as a pilot program for youth in 1999, became available to youth

across Nova Scotia in 2001, and was expanded to include adults in 2016.

No. Restorative justice is not about letting someone “get away with” harm.

It is a different path to justice. Instead of focusing on punishment, it focuses on accountability, responsibility, and preventing future harm.

The person responsible is expected to take responsibility for their actions.

This includes listening to how others were affected, reflecting on what led to the harm, and taking steps to make things right and learn from the experience.

Many types of criminal matters can be referred to the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program.

Referrals can happen at different points in the justice process — before charges are laid, after charges are laid, or after a conviction.

Referrals may come from police, Crown prosecutors, the courts, corrections, or victim-serving organizations.

To take part, the person referred must agree to participate and take responsibility for their actions.

Additional factors that justice system actors consider when deciding whether to make a referral include:

→ The opportunity for a more culturally appropriate, meaningful, and effective justice process

→ Reduction of harm for involved parties

→ The potential for harmed parties to participate

→ The opportunity to understand and consider root causes or systemic issues connected to the offence

→ Access to better supports in response to parties’ needs

Every Restorative Justice process is different. It is shaped around the people involved, their needs, and the situation.

People affected by the harm are invited to take part in open, guided conversations.

Participants help decide what needs to happen to repair harm, restore safety, and support healing.

The process follows the principles of the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program and usually includes three parts.

1. Preparation and Support

Restorative Justice facilitators meet with each person involved to explain the process and answer questions.

They listen to what happened, how people were affected, and what matters most to each person.

Together, participants and facilitators talk about choices, supports, and who should be part of the process.

Everyone is given time to prepare and decide how they would like to take part.

2. Restorative Circles

Restorative circles bring together the people affected by an incident and those responsible, along with others who can offer support.

Facilitators help create a safe and respectful space. During the circle, people share their experiences, talk about the impact of the harm,

and discuss what is needed to move forward.

The person who caused harm is expected to take responsibility and listen to others.

The goal is understanding, repair, and planning for a healthier future. Circles often lead to a shared plan with agreed-upon steps to address the harm.

3. Plan, Follow-Up, and Ongoing Support

If a plan is created, facilitators stay involved. They check in, offer support, and help everyone follow through on what was agreed to until the

process is complete. Restorative plans aim to address issues, harms, and the needs of those involved, while supporting safe and healthy relationships.

Plans often include commitments or actions to be completed by the individual responsible for causing the harm, as well as other participants who can help.

Generally, restorative plans include things such as:

→ Meaningful actions to repair the harm done to individuals or the community

→ Plans for those who have caused harm to make life changes

→ Plans to support the individual responsible for the harm to carry out those obligations

→ Anything else the participants agree to that may help to repair harm and lead to a better way forward

Plans vary depending on the circumstances of each case and are developed collaboratively through meaningful

input from all participants.

Restorative Justice facilitators are there to support the process and the people involved.

Usually, two facilitators are part of a restorative circle. They meet with participants to explain what to expect from the process; discuss ways to make

amends; explore the impacts on community; connect folks to resources; prepare for the larger restorative circle with impacted parties; and make sure everyone

feels supported. Facilitators do not decide the outcome or tell people what to do. Instead, they support participants in finding their own way forward together.

Restorative justice recognizes that harm can affect more than just one person. It can impact families, neighbourhoods, and the wider community.

Sometimes, community members are invited to take part in the process. They may have been affected themselves, be able to offer support, or help carry out a plan.

Others may be involved because they have a role, responsibility, or strong connection to the situation.

No. Taking part in Restorative Justice is always a choice. No one is required to participate.

Before anything happens, facilitators talk with everyone involved to explain the process, answer questions, and help people decide what feels right for them.

Safety and wellbeing are always the priority. If the impacted party (victim) chooses not to participate, the referral can still move forward, but if the referred person in conflict with the law refuses, the referral is closed and sent back to where it came from.

There are many ways to take part. Some people choose to receive updates or share their thoughts without attending a circle.

Others may choose to be more involved. You can decide what level of participation feels safe and right for you.

Some examples of how a person impacted by an offence could participate include:

→ Receiving updates and information about their case

→ Learning about resources and supports in their community

→ Meeting with an RJ facilitator to share their story and what matters to them

→ Suggesting ideas regarding the outcome or plan

→ Selecting someone to share their experience or questions on their behalf at a circle

→ Participating in the process design, preparation or follow-up phase only

→ Writing down their experience to be shared on their behalf at a circle

→ Attending part or all of the planned circles (with/without the person responsible for the harm present)