What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice is about communication

Restorative Justice (or RJ) is a system of criminal justice that brings those harmed by crime and those responsible for the harm into communication with each other, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward.

Restorative Justice is provided in West Yorkshire by the Mayor, Tracy Brabin, because research shows that Restorative Justice reduces reoffending and helps to reduce harm in our community. It covers the whole of the West Yorkshire area.

Restorative Justice offers victims an opportunity to be heard, to ask questions of the offender, and to have their say in the resolution of the harm caused.

Restorative Justice has a proven, significant impact in supporting victims in achieving closure and allowing them to move on with their lives. 85% of victims who have participated in Restorative Justice would recommend it to others.

For offenders, Restorative Justice provides an opportunity to face the consequences of their actions, recognising the impact that their offending behaviour has had upon others and, where possible, make amends.

In this way, Restorative Justice has the potential to help rehabilitate offenders and support them in addressing their offending behaviour. It has the potential to motivate them to change and become responsible, law abiding and productive members of society.

So, if you’ve been the victim of a crime, Restorative Justice might be for you. If you’d like to find out more, you can call our friendly team on 0800 783 1550 or you can email us at rjwestyorkshire@restorativesolutions.org.uk for more information about how it works. 

To find out more about how the police work with Restorative Justice, click here.


Click here to download our leaflet for victims.

Talk to our Restorative Justice service team in confidence

Email Us

Or call us on 0800 783 1550

Case Studies

A burglary case in West Yorkshire

John burgled Lucy’s home when she was outside hanging out her washing. When she came inside, she found him standing in her property. She describe...

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A Domestic Argument

Ann and her son, Nicky, had been enjoying an evening in together.  As the evening progressed, an argument started, which then escalated. ...

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A Non-Recent Child Sexual Abuse Case

A complaint of historical sexual abuse was reported to the police by two sisters who accused their stepfather of sexually touching them when they w...

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A Serious Assault Case

Caroline’s world was turned upside down when Simon, her partner, was punched in the face and knocked to the ground as he walked home from a night...

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A Sexual Abuse Case

The Restorative Justice service received a referral from Sarah, via her Victim Liaison Officer. The offences, which were of a sexual nature, were c...

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A Street Robbery

Daniel contacted the Restorative Justice team after he committed a street robbery on Carl. “The p...

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A Traffic Offence Case

Anne, 65, contacted the service, as she was interested in Restorative Justice. Her husband, Brian, 63, had been killed in a traffic collision 18 mo...

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Assault on a Police Officer in West Yorkshire

Coleen was a West Yorkshire Police Officer who was called to a report of sexual assault. Upon arrival at the address, there were a lot of people, m...

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Death By Dangerous Driving

The Restorative Justice service received an enquiry from a Victim Liaison Officer from the National Probation Service detailing that there w...

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Death by Dangerous Driving: Tara & Oliver

Tara was referred to the Restorative Justice team in West Yorkshire. Her brother, Thomas, had been killed three years previously by Oliver, who had...

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Hate Crime Awareness Course

Amiya was allocated as the Case Manager for Warren. Warren had a history of racial and religiously aggravated harassment towards a variety of peopl...

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Lydia's Story: Sexual Assault

Lydia was referred to the Restorative Justice service by her Victim Liaison Officer. She was the victim of a prolonged sexual assault at her home 1...

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Street Robbery

Ellis was a long term substance user, who was encouraged by an acquaintance – Mikel - to grab the handbag of a woman they saw in passing.  A...

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Street Robbery

Jemma was referred to Restorative Solutions by Victim Services in July 2019.  She had been the victim of a robbery.  The offender – Ale...

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What People Say About Restorative Justice

The restorative justice process has made me really think about the consequences of my actions.

John, offender

Restorative Justice has really helped. It has given me closure, and I feel much more positive.

Lucy, burglary victim

Now we can get on with our lives without the burden of what happened grinding us down.

Abuse victim

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