Sexual violence (SV), which causes sexual harm, is a significant public health issue globally. In many nations, conventional legal remedies are the prevailing responses to SV. Restorative justice (RJ) shows promise as a potential alternative way to address sexual harm, given evidence that RJ better aligns with expressed needs and safety concerns of those directly impacted by SV. However, few empirical studies exist concerning best practices for and the effectiveness of using RJ for this purpose. This study helped address this research gap by conducting in-depth interviews to understand how organizations choose to use RJ to address sexual harm; how RJ is being operationalized to address sexual harm; how those involved in offering RJ to address sexual harm define success or positive outcomes; and factors that present challenges for or contribute to the success of RJ processes addressing sexual harm. We conducted 24 semi-structured key informant interviews with RJ practitioners and researchers in six countries. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and emergent themes were identified through a rigorous, iterative coding process. Informants discussed using formal RJ practices with a subset of sexual harm cases, typically instances of adult sexual assault or to resolve sexual harm adults experienced as children. These responses generally adhered to this sequence: referral, assessing appropriateness for participation, preparing participants, and conducting the process. Informants shared anecdotal examples of RJ benefits and measurable indicators of program success like participant satisfaction, increased coping skills, and signs that harm will not recur, although, most were not formally evaluating their programs. Challenges included limited resources, unsupportive RJ-related beliefs, and COVID-19. Factors that aid success include funding, partnerships, and positive RJ-related views. Study findings underscore the need for more research on using RJ to address sexual harm with exploration of best practices for delivering such services to diverse communities.

中文翻译：

---

利用恢复性司法应对和预防性伤害：对六个国家正式做法的定性研究


性暴力 （SV） 会导致性伤害，是全球性的重大公共卫生问题。在许多国家，传统的法律补救措施是应对 SV 的主要措施。恢复性司法 （RJ） 有望成为解决性伤害的潜在替代方法，因为有证据表明 RJ 更符合受 SV 直接影响的人表达的需求和安全担忧。然而，关于为此目的使用 RJ 的最佳实践和有效性的实证研究很少。这项研究通过进行深入访谈以了解组织如何选择使用 RJ 来解决性伤害，从而帮助解决了这一研究差距;如何实施 RJ 以解决性伤害;参与提供 RJ 以解决性伤害的人如何定义成功或积极结果;以及对解决性伤害的 RJ 流程构成挑战或有助于成功的因素。我们对 6 个国家的 RJ 从业者和研究人员进行了 24 次半结构化关键信息提供者访谈。访谈被逐字转录，并通过严格的迭代编码过程确定新兴主题。线人讨论了使用正式的 RJ 做法来处理一部分性伤害案件，通常是成人性侵犯的情况，或者解决成年人在儿童时期经历的性伤害。这些回答通常遵循以下顺序：转介、评估参与的适当性、准备参与者和执行流程。线人分享了 RJ 益处的轶事例子和计划成功的可衡量指标，例如参与者满意度、提高的应对技巧以及伤害不会再次发生的迹象，尽管大多数人并没有正式评估他们的计划。 挑战包括资源有限、不支持的 RJ 相关信念和 COVID-19。有助于成功的因素包括资金、合作伙伴关系和与 RJ 相关的积极观点。研究结果强调，需要对使用 RJ 解决性伤害进行更多研究，并探索向不同社区提供此类服务的最佳实践。