Restorative justice conferencing for domestic and family violence and sexual violence: Evaluation of Phase Three of the ACT Restorative Justice Scheme

Abstract

This report evaluates the third phase of the Australian Capital Territory’s Restorative Justice Scheme, which expanded to include domestic and family violence (DFV) and sexual violence cases. Conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology, the evaluation assessed the processes, outcomes, and barriers associated with Phase Three implementation from 2018 to 2022. The study analysed a mix of qualitative and quantitative data, including interviews with 63 participants and stakeholders, post-conference surveys, and administrative data. Key findings reveal that restorative justice conferencing provides meaningful benefits for victim-survivors, including improved safety, validation, and recovery. It also highlights challenges such as stakeholder reluctance, delays due to resourcing constraints, and limited referrals for sexual violence cases. The report offers ten recommendations to enhance the scheme’s accessibility, capacity, and impact.