A free public event at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) on Nov. 18 will bring together students, educators, practitioners and community members to explore restorative justice during Restorative Justice Week in Canada.
Stories, Dialogue & Restorative Justice will feature guest speaker Candace Wood, a survivor, author and advocate who uses her lived experience to contribute to conversations about restorative justice, healing, accountability and sexualized violence. KPU students will also showcase project posters at the event.
“Restorative Justice Week is an opportunity to explore different ways of understanding and responding to harm. Rather than focusing on punishment, restorative justice asks us to consider the needs of those affected by harm, what meaningful accountability looks like, and how we can create opportunities for healing, repair and transformation,” says Dr. Alana Abramson, a KPU criminology instructor and expert in the field of restorative justice.
An example of a restorative justice process, says Abramson, is if a teenager vandalizes a local business, the young person, their support people, the business owner and other affected community members may be brought together. The business owner has an opportunity to explain how the vandalism affected them, while the young person is encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and understand the impact of the harm. Together, they explore what is needed to make things right, whether by repairing damage, reimbursing the business owner or completing meaningful community service.
Abramson notes KPU has been using restorative justice approaches to academic and non-academic harms for some time.
“Restorative justice is already being used across Canada, including in criminal legal settings, schools, workplaces and communities. While it is often associated with less serious offences, restorative justice can also be used in cases involving serious harm, including violence, when appropriate safeguards and supports are in place, which is what Candace Wood will be sharing about.”
Wood is the author of four children’s books, including Hidden Knots: Unlocked Words, written for children with a parent who’s been incarcerated. As guest speaker, Wood will share her experiences engaging in restorative dialogue with the person who harmed her. Her story provides an opportunity to explore the complexities of trauma, accountability and healing, and to consider what justice can look like from a survivor's perspective.
“Stories, Dialogue & Restorative Justice highlights the importance of storytelling and lived experience in shaping our understanding of justice,” says Abramson, who is organizing the event. “Ultimately, the event is about expanding our understanding of justice, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue and encouraging people to consider how restorative principles can contribute to healthier relationships and more compassionate communities.”
As part of the evening, KPU criminology students will present posters on restorative justice topics. Abramson says their work allows students to share what they’ve learned and help educate others about approaches to justice that emphasize accountability, healing, relationships and repair.
“Learning about restorative justice is important because it challenges students to think critically about some of our most deeply held assumptions about justice, particularly the idea that accountability and punishment are synonymous. Students are encouraged to consider the experiences and needs of people affected by harm, the social and relational contexts in which harm occurs, and the possibilities for responding in ways that promote meaningful accountability and positive change.”
Abramson says restorative justice education is about more than preparing students for careers in the justice system. It’s also about who students are becoming as people.
“Through restorative approaches to teaching and learning, students have opportunities to develop skills in communication, empathy, active listening, critical reflection and navigating difficult conversations. These are competencies they can carry into their professional lives, relationships and communities.”
Restorative Justice Week has been recognized in Canada during the third week of November since 1996 to raise awareness of restorative justice, its values and principles.
Stories, Dialogue & Restorative Justice takes place Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the KPU Surrey Conference Centre, 12666 72 Ave. Admission is free; register online in advance.
