Transformative Justice
A DEFINITION:
transformative justice: Transformative Justice is a socio-political framework that seeks to respond to violence without creating more violence and/or to engage in harm reduction as to lessen or eliminate an environment that enables violence.
CONTEXT & HISTORY:
Transformative Justice (TJ) is a political framework and approach for responding to violence, harm and abuse. At its most basic, it seeks to respond to violence without creating more violence and/or engaging in harm reduction to lessen the violence. (Transform Harm)
TJ can be thought of as a way of “making things right,” getting in “right relation,” or creating justice together. Transformative justice responses and interventions 1) do not rely on the state (e.g. police, prisons, the criminal legal system, I.C.E., foster care system (though some TJ responses do rely on or incorporate social services like counseling); 2) do not reinforce or perpetuate violence such as oppressive norms or vigilantism; and most importantly, 3) actively cultivate the things we know prevent violence such as healing, accountability, resilience, and safety for all involved. (Transformative Justice: A Brief Description by Mia Mingus)
MEDIA LINKS:
Barnard Center for Research on Women “What is Transformative Justice” (10-minute video)
Edmonds Neighborhood Action Coalition 