Jaquisha MagruderProfessor SoniPSC 430FinalRestorative justice takes an approach that focuses on the community as a whole. Victims, offenders and the community are all included in this approach to justice. This approach allows victims to play an active role, but it strongly incentivizes offenders to take responsibility for their wrongdoing. In doing so, the offender repairs the damage he has caused. They do this by returning stolen money or goods, apologizing, and working in the community. Restorative justice gives both the victim and the offender the opportunity to focus on themselves. Restorative justice provides support to the offender and helps prevent future events. Everyone affected by the crimes has the opportunity to discuss their personal experiences and how it has affected them. The community must play an active role in combating the crimes that have been committed. This can include talking about very traumatic experiences they've had and having to come back to them, which can be very difficult. The restorative justice approach is a way to encourage the process of reconciliation. The main idea encouraged by restorative justice is that time heals. The benefits of restorative justice are that victims can present their story to offenders, making it more personal. Victims can speak directly to offenders and express how the crimes committed against them have affected their lives. This also provides a therapeutic experience for the victim. This will also allow the offender to be able to empathize with the victim and their experience. Offenders also have the option of having a hearing at a community conference rather than in court. Another...... middle of paper ...... Tutu that South Africa could not move forward without confronting the past. The 22,000 testimonies heard over these years have been heartbreaking and it is sad to learn that so many people have suffered in silence. Desmond Tutu was deeply touched by the stories he heard, he became very emotional during some of the testimonies, but he did not want to distract from the victims. “Without forgiveness, there is no future.” The archbishop had an idea of ​​what people wanted and needed and wanted to help find ways to give it to them. The people in South Africa were very grateful and it was therapeutic to take the stand and testify in front of Desmond. Pardon is a major goal of the commission and it was in the process of being implemented. The terrible crimes committed were not denied, but people were able to face them head on and began their healing process..