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Alternative Justice for DFV and Sexual Violence: Insights from the ACT Policy Experience

Event: 2025 Applied Research in Crime and Justice Conference Date: 4 August 2025 Name of presenter: Hayley Boxall, Australian National University Title: Alternative justice for domestic, family and sexual violence: What we can learn from the ACT experience Amid growing calls for alternative justice responses to domestic, family and sexual violence, restorative justice has re-emerged as a promising but contested pathway. This presentation shares findings from an evaluation of Phase Three of the ACT Restorative Justice Scheme, one of the first programs in Australia to formally expand its remit to include DFV and sexual violence matters. Drawing on interviews, surveys, and administrative data, the evaluation highlights both the potential and the complexity of restorative justice in this space. For many victim-survivors, the process supported feelings of safety, validation, and recovery, even where perpetrator accountability was limited. Importantly, participation was associated with a reduction in reoffending among adult participants. However, challenges such as ideological resistance, program resourcing, and the delicate management of risk were also evident. This presentation considers the lessons from the ACT experience and the critical ingredients needed to safely and effectively expand restorative justice options for DFV and sexual violence matters.