In the dawning of an age in which victim rights and victim-centered justice responses are gaining momentum, inspiring nation-wide debate, and giving birth to new legislation and action, we must, more than ever, consider taking sides.

Indeed, if we are to truly improve the “justness” of our justice responses, we must seek neither neutrality nor partiality as our guiding motto, but take the side of every individual who comes within our custody, our care, our Circle, and our conflict community…

(with Dominic Barter)

In 1854, Dr. John Snow, an early epidemiological pioneer, interrupted a deadly epidemic of cholera by tracing the source of the “poison” in sewage-tainted water to a specific London water pump…

Today we continue to struggle with other epidemics, such as the widespread persistence of interpersonal violence, structural violence, and violence based in inter-racial and inter-ethnic tensions…

(with Mikhail Lyubansky)

Power dynamics play an important and often unacknowledged role in restorative processes.

At the societal level, variables such as race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status interact to create explicit and implicit biases towards members of some groups.

At the restorative system level, unquestioned paradigms around the roles of victims, offenders, gatekeepers, and facilitators may contribute to inequitable access and procedures.

Finally, at the restorative process level, facilitation and practices that limit participation and ownership may contribute to participant disempowerment…