Restorative justice for domestic violence crimes: decision-making processes in a pilot program implementation in the United States

Restorative Justice (RJ) is a set of practices to repair harm, give voice to those harmed, and hold those who caused harm accountable for their behaviors. Despite growing interest in RJ to address domestic violence (DV) crimes, research is lacking on the decision-making process to implement RJ programs. Guided by prospect theory, this study explores stakeholders’ experiences with and perspectives regarding the decision-making process in choosing, adapting, and implementing Circles of Peace, an RJ peacemaking circle approach, as an alternative DV intervention program. Multiple semi-structured interviews with the stakeholders (N = 8) were conducted, and thematic analysis was used to analyze their narratives. Three major themes emerged: (1) Drivers: Factors leading stakeholders to seek alternative approaches to address DV; (2) Barriers: Challenges arising in the decision-making process; and (3) Facilitators: Helpful components in the decision-making process. Stakeholders’ frustration with the criminal legal system’s primary response and their willingness to explore alternative methods to address DV crimes were found to be critical driving factors. Structural barriers and stakeholders’ lack of prior knowledge of RJ and Circles of Peace emerged as major challenges. The findings highlight the significant role that a supportive stakeholder and rigorous research evidence played in the decision-making process.