Restorative Justice (RJ) is a mediation-like process in which those that have been affected by an identifiable harm in the community (family, neighborhood, school, church, organization, employer, etc.) seek to repair the harm and restore relationships, more than simply resolving a dispute or punish an offender.

When people experience harm from unresolved conflicts or offenses in a community, they often desire more holistic outcomes than resolution of a conflict or accountability for those responsible for the harm. In a restorative process, professional RJ facilitators gather those affected by a harm in a safe and respectful circle format in order to:

• Express how a specific harm or an unaddressed conflict affected them
• Listen to how others have been affected and the consequences resulting from it.
• Recognize how they may have harmed others and acknowledge the consequences of their actions.
• Commit to mutually agreeable steps to repair the harm and restore relationships.

Participation is voluntary. Those affected can utilize a restorative process in lieu of, or even after, more traditional or oppositional forums, such as official complaints or litigation. Sometimes those affected include official parties (e.g., merchants, police, community organizations, etc.), and their interests or jurisdiction may take precedence over or they may complement a restorative process. Sessions may be scheduled at the NVMS office, NVMS training center or at a public community facility.