Recent research focuses on the role of restorative justice in family violence


Thu 15 Dec 2011

Two pieces of recent New Zealand research have considered the role of restorative justice in family violence. Australian-based researchers examined ...

woman-questionmarksTwo pieces of recent New Zealand research have considered the role of restorative justice in family violence.

Australian-based researchers examined viewpoints of New Zealand opinion leaders regarding the use of restorative justice in adult cases of gendered violence. The researchers examined the use of restorative justice for partner, family and sexual violence, and child sexual abuse.

The opinion leaders were drawn from a range of sector areas including those who worked in government, headed major victim service organizations, or provided victim support or restorative justice facilitation. The 19 opinion leaders reflected upon the question of the appropriateness of restorative justice for each of these categories of family violence.

Some of the major findings from thisresearch include the identification of three groups of thinkers, a belief that restorative justice was least suitable for child sexual abuse, and the need for additional protections and conditions if restorative justice were to be used.

Proietti-Scifoni, G., Daly, K. Gendered violence and restorative justice: views of New Zealand Opinion leaders. Contemporary Justice Review, 2011, 14(3): 269-290. 

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"Why rock the boat? Non-reporting of intimate partner violence" is Anne Hayden's PhD thesis (Auckland University of Technology). Hayden critically examines the reasons for non-reporting of intimate partner violence (IPV)P, exploring the thesis that the use of restorative justice processes could impact on the rate of reporting and victims seeking early interventions for this form of offending,  giving victims more choice, and therefore power.  Interviews were conducted with a range of participants, including key informants, victims and perpetrators.

Hayden, A. Why rock the boat? Non-reporting of intimate partner violence. Thesis (PhD). Auckland University of Technology. 2010.

Access this thesis via the NZFVC Library

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