6 ways that restorative justice could benefit survivors of intimate partner violence

Restorative justice measures could help victims and survivors of intimate partner violence to feel heard and validated. (Unsplash) 6 ways that restorative justice could benefit survivors of intimate partner violence Published: August 10, 2026 10.23am EDT Share article Print article Canada’s new Protecting Victims Act strengthens legal provisions for victims of crime, representing one of Canada’s most significant reforms to addressing intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet, the different needs of survivors — including healing, receiving answers from authorities, accountability and being provided the chance to be part of the legal process in a meaningful way — are not always met through conventional criminal justice systems alone. We argue it’s time to consider how restorative justice may complement broader efforts to respond to the needs of survivors. This aligns with recommendations from the 2022 Ontario coroner’s inquiry examining the 2015 murders in eastern Ontario of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam to explore restorative justice in dealing with appropriate cases of IPV. Read more: 3 potential consequences of Ontario’s reluctance to deem intimate partner violence an epidemic What is restorative justice? Restorative justice aims to address crime by discussing what happened, its impact and how to work on repairing the harm caused. It’s a process that includes the people who were harmed, such as victim-survivors, those who caused the harm, family members, friends and community. Many of the underlying principles reflect longstanding approaches to conflict resolution by First Nations in Canada and Indigenous communities around the world. In the legal system, community-based models that provide restorative justice options vary. They can be in place before sentencing, alongside sentencing or after a criminal conviction. Best practices are voluntary and require acceptance of responsibility for the harm caused before moving ahead. Read more: How technology can help victims of intimate partner violence Ongoing debate about IPV cases Existing research has found that victims who participate in restorative justice programs report feeling heard and involved in the legal process, and express high rates of satisfaction and closure. At the same time, using restorative justice in IPV cases is disputed. Critics have raised important and legitimate concerns about survivor safety, power imbalances, coercion, retraumatization and pressure…