Why me?

We're excited to share our new event, featuring a panel of people with lived experience of RJ, sharing their perspectives on the process. Join us for a unique exploration into the impact of RJ, told through the words of the people who have lived it.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/1927567

Do you know a consultant who could support Why me?'s fundraising? We are seeking a Trusts and Grants Fundraiser to work with us on a consultancy basis. Please find out more & spread the word with your networks: https://why-me.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Why-me-Trust-and-Foundation-Fundraiser.pdf

This morning, our CEO, Sara Dowling and RJ Programme Manager, Anika Cosgrove, attended the Coalition for Institutional Accountability's Parliamentary roundtable. We are a member of the Coalition's advisory board and look forward to seeing real change in this area: https://addresstheharm.org/

Accessing Restorative Justice — Why me? Have you been affected by crime or conflict? Do you still think about it? Do you have unanswered questions? You should consider Restorative Justice.

Have you been affected by crime or conflict? Do you still think about it? Maybe you have unanswered questions.

Find out how to access Restorative Justice in your area here:

https://ow.ly/mAVX50XkfUh

BBC Sounds - Forgiveness: Stories from the Front Line - Available Episodes Listen to the latest episodes of Forgiveness: Stories from the Front Line on BBC Sounds.

The Forgiveness Project have shared a new series of their programme, 'Stories from the front line' a powerful examination of if and when forgiveness can come about after tragedy or harm. It also explores interviewees' experience of RJ. Marina Cantacuzino

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0018npb

Dismantling barriers to access — Why me? Our project work is dedicated to improving access to Restorative Justice. This includes improving RJ for young people, those who speak English as an additional language, LGBTQ+ people who have experienced hate crime, and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Restorative Justice has an enormous personal benefit for participants, as well as financial benefits to the Criminal Justice System, and economic benefits to society.

https://ow.ly/bkz150XkeYC

We are proud to welcome Connektivity, creators of case management system myRJ, as our new Corporate Partner. We are thrilled to collaborate with a company that shares our commitment to building a compassionate and effective justice system.

https://why-me.org/2025/why-me-partners-with-connektivity/

Can I communicate with the person who harmed me without meeting them? Yes Restorative Justice can be flexible around participant needs.

If an in person meeting isn't appropriate, communication can happen via letters, video shuttle or proxy participants.

Why me? joins calls for a renewed national hate crime action plan — Why me? This is a blog by our CEO, Sara Dowling Too many communities continue to live with the fear and trauma of hate crime — and the problem is getting worse. Since the last Hate Crime Action Plan expired in 2020, recorded hate crimes have risen by 31%, with over 137,000 offences in the year ending March 2025. Yet […]

Too many communities continue to live with the fear and trauma of hate crime - and it's getting worse. That’s why we’ve signed an open letter calling for a renewed Hate Crime Action Plan for England and Wales.

https://why-me.org/2025/why-me-joins-calls-for-a-renewed-national-hate-crime-action-plan/

Nina Fuentes, Why me?'s new Writer in Residence, recently attended the charity and community night at Punch the play. As a playwright herself, Nina shares how the story of Restorative Justice translates on the stage.

https://why-me.org/2025/staging-restorative-justice-a-play-that-packs-a-punch/

My journey to understanding the power in being heard — Why me? This is a blog by our Restorative Justice Programme Manager, Anika Cosgrove. Reflecting on my own life experiences, I realise how profoundly the act of hearing someone’s voice can transform pain into empowerment, both for the speaker and the listener. As a child, I faced significant challenges, struggling with debilitating eczema and asthma that left […]

In this blog, Anika shares how dialogue after harm helped her to see the power of being heard. "A willingness to listen allowed me to explore my feelings, reflect on my experiences and choose how I wanted to move forward"

https://why-me.org/2025/my-journey-to-understanding-the-power-in-being-heard/

Restorative Justice FAQ — Why me? Want to know more about how Restorative Justice works? Here are some Frequently Asked Questions

Restorative Justice offers an opportunity to talk about a crime, who has been affected, and what should happen next.

If you're not familiar, why not read our frequently asked questions to find out more about Restorative Justice and how it works.

https://ow.ly/R9jg50XgmH4

Parliamentlive.tv House of Commons

Last night, Paul Kohler MP spoke powerfully about Restorative Justice in the House of Commons, arguing for victims of crime to have a legal right to an RJ referral under the Victims and Courts Bill.

https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/18a10e38-0270-4a0e-87e2-ba2a7e3dc552?in=18:36:12

Building Peace: The use of Restorative Justice to resolve interfaith conflict — Why me? This project will explore how Restorative Justice can be used to forge new ways to resolve community conflicts and address faith-based hate crime in Solihull and Glasgow.

Over the last 10 years, hate crime has grown from 40,000 recorded cases to nearly 160,000 in 2021-22.

Our interfaith project with Interfaith Glasgow and The Faith & Belief Forum is using RJ to equip communities with the skills to address hostility between and against faith groups.

Today the Victims and Courts Bill re-enters the House of Commons with our amendment attached, which would give victims of crime the right to be referred to their local RJ service. We look forward to seeing what happens in the Commons and will keep you updated through social media and weekly blogs.

Restorative Justice can be life changing for victims of crime. They can finally get the chance to be listened to, to have their questions answered, to move forward.

Everyone harmed by crime should have access to restorative services.

Why me? were pleased to contribute to a consultation on ReHub earlier this week, following many years campaigning on this issue. In this blog, we share ReHub's statement on the review and what the next steps are: https://why-me.org/2025/why-me-share-views-of-the-sector-in-rehub-review/

Why me? are delighted to share that a new amendment has been tabled to the Victims & Courts Bill by Paul Kohler MP, which would give victims of crime the legal right to a referral to a Restorative Justice service.

https://why-me.org/2025/restorative-justice-amendment-tabled-in-the-house-of-commons/

Have you signed up to our newsletter yet?

Keep in touch with upcoming events, vacancies, volunteering, training courses, and the latest news from the restorative sector.

https://ow.ly/bZXw50XgkrL

We're pleased to welcome a new Chair , Trevor Botting. He is committed to public safety, reducing victims & supporting them through justice processes. We're excited to collaborate to make RJ accessible to everyone affected by crime.

https://why-me.org/2025/why-me-welcomes-new-chair-of-trustees/

Breakfast - 23/10/2025 The latest news, sport, business and weather from the BBC's Breakfast team.

Did you see our Right To Be Heard campaign with The Common Ground Justice Project being discussed by Jacob Dunne and David Hodgkinson on BBC Breakfast this morning?

You can watch the full clip at 2.35.32 here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002l4fh/breakfast-23102025

Accessing Restorative Justice — Why me? Have you been affected by crime or conflict? Do you still think about it? Do you have unanswered questions? You should consider Restorative Justice.

How can I access Restorative Justice in my area?

Use our map to find your local service provider:

https://why-me.org/our-work/do-you-want-restorative-justice

Here is the Why me? team commemorating Hate Crime Awareness Week. Thank you to 17-24-30 National Hate Crime Awareness Week (1184819) for our resource pack, we hope everyone had a productive time last week calling for leaders to work together to address hate crime.

The voices of Restorative Justice — Why Me? This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter.   Restorative Justice is a personal process, tailored to the needs of the people taking part. Because of this, it looks different for everyone, both in process and outcome. Hearing the testimonies of people who have been through it is the only way […]

Our Damage and Repair project has captured 20 years of Restorative Justice stories to archive in the British Library.

With the project drawing to a close, we revisit the intention and impact of this incredible project.

https://why-me.org/2024/the-voices-of-restorative-justice/

Why me? are delighted to welcome Anika Cosgrove, our new Restorative Justice Programme Manager to the team! Anika has over 15 years experience in Restorative Justice, multi-agency work, stakeholder engagement and criminal justice, always with the overarching aim of collaborative approaches.

Restorative Justice can be used for any type of crime, but it only goes ahead if both parties consent to taking part. The process must be completely voluntary.

Why me? are delighted that our short film has been selected as a Charity Finalist for the Big Syn Film Festival 2025! The festival is the world's biggest sustainability film festival, and we are excited to be selected as part of a UN Sustainable Development Goals commitment.

#bigsynfilmfest25

Support us — Why me? Find out more about how you can support Why me? through donations, fundraising campaigns, corporate partnerships and legacies.

There are many ways you can support Why me?

Feel free to make a donation, fundraise, or even put your best fashion foot forward in a Why me? t-shirt.

https://why-me.org/get-involved-2/support-us/

Restorative Justice Week is fast approaching, taking place from 16th - 22nd November this year. In our latest blog, we share this year's theme and some top tips for how you can best prepare for the week: https://why-me.org/2025/restorative-justice-week-2025-rj-as-a-human-right/

Write for us!

We are always delighted to read and share your words, so get in touch. We welcome guest blogs from the restorative sector, or if you have a personal experience of RJ.

Find inspiration from our news/blogs page here:

https://ow.ly/6OBp50XcmIk