The Richmond Restorative Justice Program offers a community-based alternative to the traditional court system. Instead of focusing on punishment, restorative justice emphasizes accountability, healing, and meaningful resolution.
Rooted in the idea of repairing harm, the program brings together those impacted by an incident, typically the person responsible, the person harmed, and, where appropriate, community members. Through guided, respectful dialogue, participants explore what happened, who was affected, and what is needed to make things right.
This process creates space for those harmed to share their experiences and be heard, while those responsible are supported to acknowledge the impact of their actions, take responsibility, and actively repair harm. Trained facilitators ensure a safe, structured, and balanced process for all involved.
Restorative Justice supports positive outcomes by:
- Giving those impacted a voice and opportunity for closure
- Encouraging accountability and personal growth
- Strengthening relationships and community safety
- Reducing the likelihood of future harm
In addition to restorative justice conferencing, Touchstone offers a Driver Diversion Program, which provides education and accountability opportunities for individuals involved in minor driving-related offences, helping to promote safer decision-making on the road. Referrals to Driver Diversion are made through the Richmond RCMP Traffic Division.
- The program is funded by the City of Richmond and delivered in partnership with the Richmond RCMP.
For more information contact Haroon Bajwa.
Thank you to our funders for their ongoing support for Touchstone Programs and Services
