Beyond Retribution Restorative Justice Applied to the Crime of Domestic Violence
This article reflects on the potential of restorative justice as a transformative approach that does not replace traditionally retributive criminal justice, but rather complements it with reparation of harm, dialogue, and the restoration of human dignity. The article draws on guiding interventions and a critical analysis of the literature and current practice, highlighting the necessary conditions for applying criminal mediation, taking into account the informed consent of the parties, a gender perspective, interdisciplinary support, guarantees against revictimization, and safeguards for the offender. The perspective is based on recognizing restorative justice as a generator of processes of accountability and emotional validation, provided that ethical and human boundaries are respected. The conclusions emphasize the cultural resistance to non-punitive models, the need for specialized training for facilitators, and the necessity of strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks for management, implementation, and monitoring. Restorative justice is understood as a cultural and pedagogical commitment, oriented toward peacebuilding and the strengthening of social relationships.
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