A Compass for Healing: Guiding Survivors Towards Justice in an Imperfect System

What if we are responsible for more than preventing harm? What if we're actually responsible for healing, too? What if justice and healing are in fact the very same thing? In this workshop, we will explore approaches for engaging with victims of crime that are rooted in the understanding that our system is far from perfect. We'll learn how to guide survivors in defining healing and justice on their own terms, separate from courtroom outcomes, and centering that definition in every engagement. We will discuss the impact of approaching every interaction while holding ourselves accountable for our role in a survivor's healing process. Specifically, we’ll address the challenge of navigating difficult conversations with a trauma-informed approach, emphasizing the importance of not dismissing decisions as mere "policy" but rather acknowledging and validating the survivor's experience. Through specific scenarios and expert guidance, we will identify practical tools for managing difficult interactions, addressing emotional needs, and reaffirming each survivor’s autonomy in their journey toward recovery. We'll also discuss the burden our imperfect system places on us as advocates and how focusing on our own definition of justice can be healing and empowering for us, too.