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Whither Restorativeness? Restorative Justice and the Challenge of Intimate Violence in Aboriginal Communities

NCJ Number
248180
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2014 Pages: 417-446]
Author(s)
Jane Dickson-Gilmore
Date Published
July 2014
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This article examines the appropriateness of restorative justice responses to intimate partner and family violence in Canadian Aboriginal communities.
Abstract
Although restorative justice principles have been embraced for a number of years as an appropriate and culturally reflective approach to social control in Aboriginal communities, there is no clear structure for implementing its principles in cases of intimate partner violence. Although the promise of such an approach is recognized by the leadership in Aboriginal communities, confronting and addressing violence effectively is a resource-intensive undertaking. Dealing effectively with intimate violence requires a significant commitment of human and monetary resource; however, it is unlikely that this is forthcoming unless financial and personnel commitments currently devoted to the traditional criminal justice processing of such cases undergoes a reform that diverts funds and personnel to the establishment and maintenance of restorative justice responses to intimate partner violence in Aboriginal communities. 19 notes and 34 references