Restorative justice principles guide our daily practice, but how often do we pause to consider how these principles might be understood, experienced and expressed across different cultural contexts? This interactive workshop centres restorative justice practice within the realities of working alongside Indian and South Asian families. It introduces key cultural frameworks (including collectivism, family hierarchy, gender expectations, faith influences, and community reputation) and links these directly to everyday facilitation decisions.

Participants will examine how cultural dynamics influence referral assessment, preparation, risk screening, and conference structure. The workshop explores the impact of intergenerational authority, indirect communication, and the involvement of elders or extended family on voluntariness, voice, accountability, and perceptions of safety, particularly in family violence contexts. It also addresses navigating power imbalances, managing support people, and balancing cultural responsiveness. The focus remains practical, supporting participants to adapt questions, preparation approaches, and conference design to ensure processes are safe, culturally informed, and aligned with RJ principles.

Building on this foundation, the workshop then moves beyond restorative justice frameworks. Together, we will critically examine the six restorative justice principles through a culturally responsive lens, exploring where Western interpretations may align with or unintentionally conflict with South Asian cultural realities.

By the end of the session, practitioners will leave with a more nuanced understanding of how to adapt restorative justice processes in ways that are culturally attuned, ethically grounded, and responsive to the lived experiences of Indian and South Asian communities.