Best Practice Guidelines

Theory is translated into practice in this chapter, by drawing on the cumulative knowledge built through this research to present the author’s reflections on the principles needed to implement the pyramid programme of restorative justice for survivors of sexual abuse in as safe and as ethical a manner as possible. Proposed content for the first stage – providing general information about sexual abuse to survivors – is accompanied by considerations of the practical and legal implications of conducting restorative justice processes with enablers of abuse. The benefits of collaboration between practitioners and academics are also reinforced.

Conclusion

The text has answered the question, when it comes to restorative justice for survivors of sexual abuse – does it have to be with the abuser? By proposing restorative justice processes with enablers of abuse, and through the pyramid programme of restorative justice, justice options can be significantly widened. The chapter explores how this research widens survivors’ opportunities by increasing the justice pathways available; widens practitioner opportunities by enhancing the viability of programmes; and widens researchers’ opportunities by presenting a framework for further empirical research.

Introduction

This chapter explains the book’s premise – that it is possible to expand the scope of restorative justice for survivors of sexual abuse by asking – does it have to be with the abuser? It presents the researcher’s definition of restorative justice for sexual abuse. The use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to conduct feminist research in collaboration with a specialist sexual abuse charity is discussed. This chapter includes a diagrammatic portrayal of the stages of this IPA study as well as showing how these stages are covered within the text.