On May 12 I attended an amazing conference hosted by Suffolk University's
Center for Restorative Justice, called
Healing After Crime: Exploring the Promise of Victim-Offender Dialogue in the Wake of Serious Violence. We heard from Kim Book, whose 17-year-old daughter was murdered by a 16-year-old man she knew. After a frustrating judicial process in which punishment was the main focus, and her own needs as a victim/survivor were ignored, Kim finally reached the Attorney General of Delaware and got a tour of the prison where the offender was held. She then began volunteering there, and eventually founded
Victims Voices Heard, which offers victims and survivors of violent crime the opportunity to meet with their offender face-to-face to help facilitate the healing process. Kim's powerful story is written up in Dr. Susan Miller's book,
After the Crime.
There were also presentations by Kathleen Dennehy, Acting Commissioner of Corrections in Massachusetts; Jon Wilson of
JUST Alternative, which works to advance victim-centered practices in justice and corrections; Robin Casarjian of the
Lionheart Foundatio, which helps spread emotional literacy; and
Janet Connors, a long-time community and social justice activist in Boston neighborhoods most affected by violence and social injustice. Janet's 19-year-old son was murdered during a home invasion in 2001, an event that refocused her activism towards restorative justice practices.
This was a very moving gathering, one that touched both intellect and emotion. I had a very engaging lunch conversation with a group of people that included two convicted murderers - who are both now working on restorative justice issues. Congratulations to
Carolyn Boyes-Watson and her team for a very successful event!
