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Restorative Justice in cases of Intimate Partner Violence

This seminar explores the use of restorative justice in cases of intimate partner violence, presenting research findings and a guide for practitioners.

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Restorative Justice in cases of Intimate Partner Violence

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  1. Restorative Justice in cases of Intimate Partner Violence Dr Annemieke Wolthuis & dr Katinka Lünnemann Final Seminar Restorative Justice and Domestic violence (JUST/2013/JPEN/AG/4587) Brussels, 26 January 2016 www.verwey-jonker.nl www.euforumrj.org

  2. Structure presentation • The European project: why & how? • Research methods • Results document study • Results interviews • Towards a guide • Purpose of the day

  3. Partners Austria - Institute of Conflict Research (IKF) & Institute for the Sociology of Law and Criminology (IRKS) Denmark - Nat Organisation of Women’s Shelters (LOKK) Finland - Department of Criminal Policy of the Ministry of Justice (MJF) Greece - Eur Public Law Organization (EPLO) Netherlands - Verwey-Jonker Institute (VJI) UK – IARS International Institute Fin. support: EC, D-G Justice, Directorate B: Criminal Justice & national Ministries of Denmark, Austria & NL

  4. 1. The European project: why? • Restorative Justice in Cases of Domestic Violence, Best practice examples between increasing mutual understanding and awareness of specific protection needs (JUST/2013/JPEN/AG/5487) • Aims: - to generate relevant knowledge on RJ practices - to identify criteria for offering RJ to victims of IPV so that they can benefit to the max extent and in accordance with the EU Victims Dir 2012 - to set standards to guarantee quality of the implementation of RJ practices

  5. 2. Research methods 1. Document study & Literature research 2. Interviews (6 victims/6 offenders) 3. Focus groups in countries 4. Expert meetings with experts of Europe (2) 5. Local pilots Outcomes: 2 comparative reports Practitioner’s Guide Final seminar Network

  6. 2. Questions 1. What are the relevant RJ practices and policies concerning IPV in different European countries? 2. Can RJ be useful in case of IPV, and if so under what circumstances? What do victims of IPV need in RJ? 3. Can RJ in cases of IPV be offered in every stage of the criminal procedure (before, during and/or after) and/or should VOM be carried out by using a different (community) approach outside the crim justice system? 4. Can networking with regard to IPV be stimulated between practitioners of RJ/mediation both at national and European level in order to support sustainable implementation of RJ in IPV cases?

  7. 2. Definitions • Coercive control (intimate terrorism); intimate terrorism refers to recurrent, escalating violent acts in combination with the exercise of power and control: the victim is isolated and lives in permanent fear • Situational couple violence is more often incidental and situational problems like alcohol problems, unemployment, or a serious life event (Johnson, 2006) • Restorative Justice; VOM, conferencing

  8. 3. Current status • International rules & regulations Not consistent: some open, some reluctant, some restrictive (CEDAW, Victim Dir 2012, Istanbul Convention) • National legislations Differs, but most countries allow it in Spain the law prohibits RJ in DV cases • Practice Differs too, examples in our report on Austria, Finland, Greece, UK, Denmark and NL

  9. Role play during expertmeeting

  10. 4. Some outcomes interviews • Victims & offenders satisfied • Victims and offenders feel safe • Preparatory meeting important • Often attention for the future, not so much to the history of the violence • Not always an agreement is made • Safety of victims after VOM hardly an issue • Needs expressed for follow up

  11. 5. Towards a guide Goal of guide Guiding principles: • Knowledge about the complexity of IPV; difference between intimate terrorism and situational violence. Historical & social context • Clear affirmation of the norm • Preparation of the meeting: face-to-face meeting with victim and offender separately Essential in assessing the risks of re-victimization & issues of safety, empowering and taking responsibility

  12. Practitioner’s Guide • Victim Directive and human rights as a basis • Minimum standards • Concerning: safety, training, the process • Process: the offer, the preparation, the exchange, the follow-up • IPV knowledge central • Sharing experiences too

  13. 6. Conclusions • 6 countries with very different systems • All do work with RJ in DV/IPV cases • Different practices & roles probation, police, judicial authorities • Longest experiences: Austria and Finland, but also Waage Inst Hannover, Germany • Much will be shared today by local experts • Research: information, preparation & cooperation crucial; need for more guidance • Work in progress > let’s work on it today

  14. Thank You See: www.verwey-jonker.nl And www.euforumrj.org for the comparative reports & other project details

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