Restorative Services
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During this transition, some pages may display updated information while others may not yet reflect these changes. If you need assistance finding information, please contact us at DND.SMSRC-CSRIS.MDN@forces.gc.ca or 1-844-750-1648.
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On this page
Mandate
Restoratives Services (RS) give Defence team members opportunities to address harm, strengthen relationships, and prevent future harm. RS focuses on understanding what happened and how it affected people; with the aim of ensuring that everyone involved feels heard, supported, and treated with respect.
RS are based on restorative principles. The approach is trauma and culturally informed, inclusive, accessible, confidential, and voluntary. Participants work with RS practitioners to shape a process that responds to their needs. The approach allows time and space to understand the harm that was caused and its impacts, to support meaningful outcomes.
Participation
Restorative Services are available to current Defence team members. This includes:
- Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
- Public service employees of the Department of National Defence (DND)
- Personnel of the Canadian Coast Guard
Objectives
- Provide restorative opportunities to Defence Team Members
- Create safer and supportive spaces to explore restorative options and build understanding
- Provide restorative advice on policies and programs
- Identify systemic issues and emerging trends to inform the institution
Services
RS offers three core services. These options depend on participants’ needs, goals, and readiness, as well as the nature of the situation.
- Restorative conversations
This service brings participants together to:- Address harm and its impacts
- Support understanding, healing, and accountability
- Strengthen and repair relationships
- Prevent future harm.
- Restorative Coaching
Coaching focuses on communication, relationships, and understanding and preventing harm by:- Providing participants with tools and support to navigate challenging situations using restorative principle
- Helping individuals and teams build long-term skills to strengthen relationships and prevent harm
- Restorative Advice
Provides restorative insight to support decision making by:- Offering guidance to participants to navigate situations using restorative principles
- Identify systemic issues and emerging trends related to harms and impacts within the institution
Process
The RS process begins with an intake discussion. A member of the RS team speaks with the potential participant to learn about their situation, explain the available services, and assess whether a restorative option fits their needs.
If suitable:
- Restorative Practitioner(s) (RP) will contact the participant
- Practitioners and participants then identify the service that best fits the situation
- The process unfolds over several meetings and is shaped by participants’ needs and circumstances
If not suitable:
- RPs may suggest other supports
- Participants are encouraged to reconnect when their readiness or circumstances change and align with restorative options
Contact us
To connect with the RS team, please email:
RestorativeServices-Demarchesreparatrices@forces.gc.ca, and a member of the team will follow-up with you.