Filling the Void in Victims’ Rights: A Deconstruction of Objections to a Right of Access to Restorative Justice for Victim-Survivors
20 Luglio 2026
The article, “Filling the Void in Victims’ Rights: A Deconstruction of Objections to a Right of Access to Restorative Justice for Victim-Survivors”, written by Lynn S. Branham, was published in 2026 in the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Law & Public Affairs, Volume 11, Issue 2.
The piece examines restorative justice and victims’ right of access to it, focusing in particular on objections raised during a legislative hearing in Colorado regarding a groundbreaking bill. Branham examines three assumptions she considers mistaken: the idea that what is said during a restorative justice process should not be kept confidential, the belief that victims of sexual assault and domestic violence should not have access to such processes, and the claim that this right should only be recognized after a final conviction. The author shows how these objections conflict with the principles, purposes, and outcomes of restorative justice, highlighting the need to address the legal gap in protecting victims' rights. The essay thus contributes to the contemporary debate on victims' rights and criminal justice reform.
For more information on the article, click here.