Circle Process
The restorative justice circle is used to ensure that everyone in the room has the chance to speak and others are ready to listen. All members of the circle will sit together and come up with a way to repair the harm together. This process ensures that all members in the room are in a place to contribute effectively and ensure their contributions are heard. The circle process is rooted in Indigenous teachings and shared values to achieve outcomes that include community, healing, connection, and collective action.
Whether you caused the harm or are the harmed party, bringing someone to support you in the circle is very important. If you are a youth, bringing someone like a parent or guardian is best. If you are the victim of a crime, bringing a spouse or friend is best.
Volunteers will meet you at the site of your meeting to support you through the circle.
At the end of the circle the circle keeper will ask the people in the room what they think is necessary in order to make amends and repair the harm done. Please think about this prior to your meeting.
Please expect to be at the site for 1-2.5 hours in order to accommodate the circle process and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be heard.
Involvement in the circle process is not only beneficial for the harmed person but also for the person who caused the harm. Hearing directly from the harmed person not only allows for a change in perspective but also encourages a greater understanding by the person who caused harm of the impact of their actions.
Harmed persons can also provide a written letter or statement that can be read in the circle to ensure that their feelings are known and the impact of the harm they experienced can be known by the person who caused the harm.
