ABSTRACT
Restorative Justice (RJ) is an established process with the potential for harm repair even in the most challenging of situations where a focus on loss and what has been “damaged” tends to be dominant. RJ requires time, commitment, and resource to establish and deliver in mental health settings, and it may not be suitable for all, but its rewards (the rebuilding of confidence, reduction of distress, the promotion of resilience and recovery) can address the legacy of trauma that deserves to be heard, acknowledged, and survived. Brief examples of RJ in action (moments when empathy is nurtured in the interests of restoration) are shared to illustrate the power of RJ as a systemic response with a capacity for re-setting, reclaiming, and recovering resources where they are most needed.
