Weaving Repair
Open Circle is currently piloting a restorative justice program that responds to young people harmed by, and engaging in, harmful sexual behaviours. The program is funded by the Victorian Legal Services Board and is being evaluated by Australian National University researchers.
Weaving Repair uses a trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and systemic approach that is tailored and responsive to the needs each participant. Facilitators have extensive experience in therapeutic responses to sexual harm, and are attuned to the risks and dynamics of interpersonal harm.
Restorative justice provides a framework for responding to and preventing harm that moves beyond punishment towards healing. When a harm occurs between two people, restorative justice is a way to help make things right again. Rather than punishment, restorative practices are focused on creating a shared understanding of what happened, what the impacts have been, and what meaningful repair could look like.
Usually, a restorative process starts with facilitators meeting separately with the person who has been hurt, and the person who is responsible, and finding out what has occurred, and what people’s needs and hopes are. In responding to young people impacted by harmful sexual behaviours, sometimes they also meet with other people like parents, teachers, or peers. Over time, they work towards bringing people together for a facilitated conversation, but only when everyone feels safe, prepared and ready.
The process can help the person who has been hurt to tell their story and feel understood. The person responsible for the harm has an opportunity to listen, learn, and try to make things right. This might mean saying sorry, or committing to doing things differently in the future.
The process is confidential, and voluntary for all people. Everyone is treated with respect, and care is taken to make sure the process doesn’t cause any more harm.
If you would like to self-refer, or refer a family member, please call 03 9925 7708 or email open.circle@rmit.edu.au and we’ll give you a call.