Restorative Justice System

Introduction In the adversary system, crimes are seen as on offense committed against the state. It views the offender as a completely free and rational individual who volunteers to engage in criminal activity. Therefore, the focus of this system is punishment and control; which, should be tough enough to promote specific and general deterrence. Unfortunately, though being tough on crime and the offender, is assumed to reduce future crime through deterrence; it fails to do so. It also minimizes the involvement of the victim within an offense. However, an alternative form of justice known as restorative justice, does the opposite by not focusing on punishment but, on therapy and restoration.

Restorative justice is defined as a “series
Due to their victimization, they may have committed certain offenses as coping and survival mechanisms. These women could have been subjected to commit these crimes because they have run away from their homes as a result of being subjected to violence; whether it may have been sexual, physical, mental, or emotional or have experienced early childhood trauma due to similar events. Through consideration for the gender-specific nature of these pathways, gender responsive approaches are beneficial. Restorative justice arguably assists with the development of juvenile females by functioning as a therapeutic and healing mechanism (Van Wormer & Bartollas 2014). Since intimacy and the development of relationships are important and necessary for adolescent development, strategies implemented by restorative justice, create the opportunity for these females to so; despite their previous actions. Through communication and listening, it simulates restoration for these juvenile female offenders to restore their own broken relationships which they may have faced in their background of victimization. Restorative strategies which address a young female offenders background of victimization could help her realize her own history of victimization and how her actions have affected another individual. Thus, by participating in these restorative strategies, the
It serves as a therapeutic mechanism that is beneficial for not only the offender but the victim as well. It allows both parties to express their feelings on situations and come to a collective understanding on how the offense may have affected them. Additionally, it allows the victim and the offender to come to a collective agreement on how things can be restored. More specifically, it succeeds greatly with female offenders as an option for them to have their history of victimization acknowledged to understand the context behind why they may have offended and how their actions have victimized others. However, it fails to be successful for all offenses (i.e. gendered violence) due to the possibility of manipulation, re-victimization, etc. To prevent issues such as these from occurring, it would