Conflict Facilitation - Restorative Communication

Typically, we are taught to ‘manage’ or ‘avoid’ conflict. This is often both a contributing factor in its escalation and a lost opportunity.

Harnessed, using the appropriate skills, conflict offers an opportunity to strengthen relationships and communities, build trust and understanding and learn valuable lessons.

Facilitated ‘Restorative Circles’ are one form of Restorative Justice capable of achieving these goals that can be applied to almost any situation of conflict, even those where the author of the conflict refuses to participate.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE;

REDUCES CRIME VICTIMS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS SYMPTOMS AND COSTS
REDUCES CRIME VICTIMS DESIRE FOR VIOLENT REVENGE
REDUCES REPEAT OFFENDING AT THE SAME RATE AS PRISON IN YOUTH, AND MORE SO IN ADULTS

Restorative Circles have been shown to;

PROVIDE A COMMUNITY OWNED MEANS OF DEALING WITH CONFLICT
INTERRUPT THE SCHOOL PRISON PIPELINE
IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS
OFFER LESS DESTRUCTIVE CONFLICT
OFFER A MEANS TO ACHIEVE MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE
IMPROVE ACADEMIC AND SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS OF PARTICIPANTS

Restorative Communication offers Restorative Circle facilitation and Restorative Circle Facilitator training. We also provide introduction sessions that provide those new to or curious about this form of Restorative Justice and its potential within your community.

These can be provided to your extended family unit, community group, social change organisation, business, school, club or intentional community.

Notes:

Restorative Circles are a community process developed by Domonic Barter.

“A Restorative Circle is a community process for supporting those in conflict. It brings together the three parties to a conflict – those who have acted, those directly impacted and the wider community – within an intentional systemic context, to dialogue as equals. Participants invite each other and attend voluntarily. The dialogue process used is shared openly with all participants, and guided by a community member. The process ends when actions have been found that bring mutual benefit.”

“Restorative justice is an approach to justice that personalizes the crime by having the victims and the offenders mediate a restitution agreement to the satisfaction of each, as well as involving the community.”

The efficacy of the Restorative Circle process within the school context is discussed here.