FAQs
What are restorative justice practices?
Restorative justice focuses on community building and connection to prevent, resolve and transform conflict. It invites communities to reimagine what accountability and repair can look like.
When it comes to criminal justice, and in basic terms, restorative justice seeks to examine the harmful impact of a crime and then determines what can be done to repair that harm while holding the person who caused it accountable for their actions*. Accountability for the “offender” in this context means accepting responsibility and acting to repair the harm.
More broadly, restorative justice practices are philosophy and social science that focus on building community through individual reflection and interpersonal connection and productively addressing harm through collaborative problem-solving.
View the video below to learn more:
Source: University of Wisconsin Law
What is the restorative justice framework?
The restorative framework is a prevention-based and tiered approach that includes many processes, from prevention to intervention.
As a prevention-focused approach, restorative practices leverages substantial outcomes from relationship-focused efforts. Establishing authentic relationships opens the doors to deeper connections and, ultimately, a better understanding of individuals’ backgrounds. Once a foundation of a relationship is established, respect and trust can be achieved. The more one possesses respect for other individuals as well as their community, the more likely one is to nurture that community.
The restorative framework ranges from a focus on relationship-building to informal interactions, such as restorative conversations, to more formal processes after harm has occurred (such as community group conferences, high-impact dialogue, and thematic processes).
Who is The Conflict Center and how were they selected for this project?
The Conflict Center is a local nonprofit organization with the mission to equip people with practical skills to navigate, transform and embrace everyday conflict. The Conflict Center has provided programs to Denver and throughout Colorado for over 35 years, including working with schools and communities to implement restorative practices.
The Conflict Center bid for this project as part of the city's competitive Request for Proposal public procurement process and was selected to conduct this project.
How is this restorative justice project funded?
This project is funded by the city of Aurora General Fund.
What does the research phase of this project look like?
The research process includes an incentivized survey for Aurora residents, interviews, focus groups, listening/education sessions, and the creation of an advisory committee.
How can community-based organizations get involved?
Please complete this form, and The Conflict Center staff will contact you directly.