Who we are:
The Victorian Association for Restorative Justice (VARJ) represents restorative practitioners, researchers and policy-makers across the state of Victoria.
VARJ formed as an Incorporated Association in April 2005 to acknowledge and support the growing use of restorative practices in
youth and criminal justice, child protection and school behaviour management.
The Association continues to promote restorative practices in schools, justice, welfare, as well as workplaces, residential communities, community associations, and wherever else people are seeking fairer and safer ways to heal social harm.
VARJ IS A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION of individuals and organisations who work with restorative justice and restorative practices.
Restorative Justice in Seven Countries
Isabella Banks, a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship recipient, travelled to 7 countries to learn about various Restorative Practices programs. She visited Australia, and stayed with VARJ members whilst in Melbourne. Isabelle asked a few of the individuals she met throughout her travels to share what restorative justice means to them and compiled their perspectives into a video.
You can watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqevjbG3B3U&feature=youtu.be
Health justice partnerships
The Victorian Legal Services Board (LSB) has funded a number of effective health justice partnerships in rural and urban regions. We have VARJ members who have played a leading role in the development of health and legal services working together to help people in need.
To learn more about these partnerships click on to this link:
http://lsbc.vic.gov.au/?page_id=4770
Restorative practices in healthcare
Listen to Jeremy Limpens talk about the need for restorative processes in the health sector at TEDx St Kilda earlier this year. Jeremy was a participant at the 2014 VARJ Conflict Transformation through Conferencing Professional Development training.
