Restorative Justice After Intimate Partner Violence

Restorative Justice After Intimate Partner Violence

In Restorative Justice After Intimate Partner Violence: Survivor Empowerment, Offender Accountability, and the Path to Healing, Dr. Maxwell Shimba offers a groundbreaking exploration of how restorative justice can transform the response to one of society's most pervasive and devastating forms of harm. Moving beyond traditional criminal justice approaches that often leave survivors feeling marginalized and re-traumatized, this book presents a comprehensive framework for victim-offender mediation that places survivors at the center while holding offenders meaningfully accountable. Drawing on extensive research, real-world case studies from programs across the globe, and deep integration of theological, psychological, philosophical, and legal perspectives, Dr. Shimba illuminates both the profound potential and the significant risks of restorative approaches to intimate violence. The book provides practical guidance for mediators, advocates, and policymakers on trauma-informed facilitation, rigorous screening protocols, safety planning, and the ethical implementation of restorative processes. With careful attention to feminist critiques, the dynamics of power and control, and the complex realities of survivors' experiences, this work charts a hopeful yet realistic path forward-one that honors the dignity of survivors, calls offenders to genuine accountability, and invites communities into the sacred work of healing and restoration. Essential reading for survivors, practitioners, scholars, and anyone committed to reimagining justice in the aftermath of intimate partner violence.