Restorative Justice Theory

Introduction:

The foundation of victim’s rights and services is built on the ideas of restorative justice. “Injustices involving large-scale wrong doing historically lead to cycles of further violence and hatred” (Kaphake, 2004). During the end of the twentieth century, a growing number of organizational/ non-profits began to adopt a way that seeks to restore the rights and lives of the victim. Restorative justice theory is most often associated with courts and the criminal justice system. Rather than focusing on retribution, restorative justice seeks to reconcile and rebuild the damage to victims, wrongdoers, and communities caused by the criminal behavior (Kaphake, 2004).

Historical Social Justice:

Restorative justice and giving back

Peaceful protests, woman’s marches and union strikes were on the rise. The community wanted unity and justices for all people regardless of ethic, gender, or political status. Most of the fight was met by back-lash, however, the community continued to fight. Much of the dramatic changes to the social and criminal justice system occurred during this time-frame. People began becoming aware of the oppression within the communities, pretty soon political figures realized that the precise constitution that was to protect the people, did not entirely include everyone: from this was established, Victim’s Compensation, the Victim’s Rights (comprised of eight individual rights) and soon thereafter social justice leaders began to wonder what happens to the victim in the aftermath; services were soon after established and many organizations and non-profits were created in order to help victim’s after the courts and legal

Victims have some rights under the law in all states, ranging from the right to be notified of court and parole hearings, the right to be present and express opinions at sentencing hearings, the right to be consulted about plea agreements, the right to compensation and restitution, and the right to a speedy trial” (Davis & Mulford, 2008). However, according to many other researchers to include works from, Rachal Gallagher, we are slipping in some ways back to historic practices where the underprivileged and the poor are going without services and are not educated enough for knowledge of their rights (Gallagher, 2008). Social justice still plays an important key to the development of victim’s rights and services, while we still have a lot room left for improvement, the rights of victim have been secured in the legal system where it was practically unheard of, as well as services and resources have been developed and implemented to benefit the victim’s lives leading them on the path for healing. The continuation of research and the search for equality, rights for victims and services will continue to be improvised and given freely to the