Restorative Circles
& Systems building
Conflict support system
Developed by Dominic Barter in Brazil, A Restorative Circle is a community process for supporting those in conflict. It brings together the three parties to a conflict – those who have acted, those directly impacted and the wider community – within an intentional systemic context, to dialogue as equals.
Participants invite each other and attend voluntarily. The dialogue process used is shared openly with all participants. The process ends when actions have been found that bring mutual benefit that nurtures the inherent integrity of all those involved in the conflict.
Restorative Circles are facilitated in 3 stages designed to identify the key factors in the conflict, reach agreements on next steps, and evaluate the results. As a circle form, they invite shared power, mutual understanding, effective action and self-responsibility within community.
Restorative Circles are facilitated by community members who identify themselves as impacted by the conflict at hand. They commit to serving the emergent wisdom of the participants through their willingness to offer agreed upon questions and to track the co-creation of meaning and action by those present.
Description adapted from Dominic’s official website: www.restorativecircles.org where you can find many resources.
To find out more, visit the site, watch the following video and check out the other supportive resources below.
Also, can visit the Facebook Page
Dominic Barter
Check out his introduction to Restorative Circles
Supportive resources
Carolyn Boyes-Watson & Kay Pranis
- Circle Forward: Building a Restorative School Community (2014) – A practical guide for educators on implementing Restorative Circles in schools to foster connection and accountability.
- Heart of Hope: A Guide for Using Peacemaking Circles to Develop Emotional Literacy, Promote Healing & Build Healthy Relationships (2010) – Explores how Restorative Circles can support social-emotional learning and conflict transformation.
Howard Zehr
- The Little Book of Restorative Justice (2002, Updated 2015) – A foundational text that outlines the principles of restorative justice, which deeply inform Restorative Circles.
- The Little Book of Restorative Justice for Colleges and Universities (2013) – Focuses on integrating restorative justice practices, including circles, into higher education settings.
Kay Pranis
- The Little Book of Circle Processes: A New/Old Approach to Peacemaking (2005) – A concise guide to using circle processes for conflict resolution and community healing.
- Peacemaking Circles: From Crime to Community (2003) – Explores the origins of restorative circle practices and their application in justice and social change.
Ted Wachtel
- Restorative Circles in Schools: Building Community and Enhancing Learning (2010) – Provides step-by-step guidance for implementing Restorative Circles in educational settings.
Dominic Barter’s Work on Restorative Circles
- www.restorativecircles.org – The official website for Restorative Circles, offering foundational information, training opportunities, and resources.
- Dominic Barter’s Blog – Insights and reflections from the founder of Restorative Circles, exploring applications in community building, justice, and social change.
General Restorative Justice & Circle Resources
- www.iirp.edu – The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), providing research, training, and resources on restorative justice and circles.
- www.livingjusticepress.org – Publishes books and materials on restorative justice, including guides on circle practices.
- www.transformativejustice.org – A resource hub for community-based restorative and transformative justice initiatives, including circle facilitation.
Want more of this in your life?
Check out my events page to see if any public trainings are coming up.
Or, if you want to work with me privately (in-person or online), we can use it, learn it, practice it and find ways to integrate it into your relationships, work or personal growth journey.