Immerse yourself in an interactive, dynamic program designed to empower individuals and communities through the profound principles of restorative justice. You will go beyond theory, gaining practical tools for a meaningful impact through restorative justice principles. Examine the challenges and opportunities of using restorative justice principles. Explore the successes that can be implemented from overseas jurisdictions. Gain a better understanding of the restorative justice processes that already exist in Australia.

Presenters

Brenda Robbins, Mediator, Murray Chambers
Brenda is a former barrister who had a broad-based commercial, administrative and criminal law practice (trials and appeals) for over 14 years. She now practices solely as a nationally qualified mediator (NMAS) and restorative practitioner. After long experience as a litigator, Brenda believes in the substantial benefits of mediation over litigation and is a strong advocate for comprehensively incorporating restorative justice approaches into criminal justice, and various community and work settings to bring about healing, fairness and enabling a better future. Prior to her legal career Brenda held several CEO and senior executive positions in State Government agencies. Brenda also chaired and served as a director/member of various Boards and Committees including the Senate UWA, President AIM, Commissioner Legal Aid, Director Keystart Loans Ltd, Chair Metropolitan Cemeteries Board and was a Member of the Racing Penalty Appeals Tribunal (RPAT). She is currently a member of the Churchill Fellowship Assessment Panel for WA.


Helen Bowen, Barrister, Youth Advocate, Restorative Justice
Helen Bowen is a New Zealand criminal barrister, youth advocate and Drug Court lawyer. In 2000 (with Jim Boyack) she was contracted by the New Zealand Department for Courts to provide training for 80 community restorative justice facilitators in four courts. Since then she has provided RJ training services nationally and internationally including working with the Thames Valley Police in London and community groups in Northern Ireland. She continues to provide professional development and supervision with Auckland RJ provider groups and is currently the Chair of a project which provides post-sentence RJ for Maori offenders.


Dr. Jane Anderson, Adjunct Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia
Jane is a social anthropologist and Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia. She has published research on the relationship between religion and the state, religious movements, sexuality and gender, child sexual abuse, restorative justice and peer support work. For the past decade, Jane has worked voluntarily with Anglo-Australian and Noongar groups to design and deliver restorative justice programs and peer supports responses to address pressing local needs. Her work is influenced by scholarly acumen combined with a lived experience of the margins, and a determination to bring about a more just, kinder and fairer world.


Dr. Brian Steels, Behaviourist & Criminologist
Brian is the Patron of the Asia Pacific Forum for Restorative Justice, being a founding member and previous Director. He has been a Board Member of the Asian Society of Criminology and current Member of Penal Reform International, Basque Forum and Portuguese Forum for RJ. He is an international expert and consultant for Restorative Justice, Penal Reform and Critical Convict Criminology. As an academic, Brian has held various positions over the past 30 years as a Senior Research Fellow, working at Murdoch and Curtin Universities, and Guest Fellow at UWA’s Crime Research Unit. Although now retired from paid employment, his interests remain in Restorative Justice, Victimology, Therapeutic Jurisprudence, and offender rehabilitation at an individual, family and community level, especially among local people often marginalised, discarded and socially excluded. He is a well published author and criminal justice commentator across jurisdictions. His links to NZ, UK, Canada, and US justice organisations are complimented by his links to Hong Kong and National University of Taiwan, the UN’s Far East Asia Institute, Tokyo, and to his colleagues at the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Chandigarh, and the Restorative Justice Assoc. of Nepal. Brian is an active member of the European Forum for RJ. He has been a guest Keynote across the region especially to the UNFEAI and the UNODC. He attended the UN and Thai Institute of Justice to assist with the UN Handbook on Restorative Justice (2020). He has witnessed the reduction of the use for prisons across Europe and Scandinavia as a direct result of RJ practices. He is outspoken on the Portuguese and Belgium Penal Estates where Criminal Mediation and RJ policies continue to reduce prisoner numbers. He has examined prisons across Europe and Asia. Brian’s community interests include Greening penal estates, Community Based and Peer-led Restorative Justice, Therapeutic programs, as well as working among communities suffering from conflict, violence and intergenerational trauma associated with cultural and personal loss, violence, and abuse. He speaks of Social Justice where critical and long-term social exclusion, and high rates of arrest and incarceration prevail.