restorative-justice-work

Human Rights

Combating Discrimination Since 1955


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Our Commitment to Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice in Our Work
Restorative Justice and Discrimination
Anti-Racist Resources

Our Commitment to Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice in Our Work

Restorative Justice and Discrimination

Anti-Racist Resources


Restorative Justice in our Work

We aim to bring a restorative perspective to both our community partnerships and our law enforcement work.

In the Community Relations Bureau (CRB), our Bias Response Team offers support to people and communities who’ve experienced the harm of bias incidents. Our staff talks with those who are impacted to assess their needs and tailor the Team’s response. CRB also links community groups with restorative justice practitioners who can facilitate talking or healing circles where neighbors can process harm caused by racism and hate violence.

Our Law Enforcement Bureau seeks restorative remedies to discrimination complaints whenever possible. Staff focus on the experience of the complainant to inform case resolutions. For example, the Commission reached a settlement with a hair salon that engaged in race-based discrimination that requires the salon to train staff to style Black hair and to maintain an internship program for people from under-represented groups. Other examples include a settlement with Prada over its sale of figurines resembling racist caricatures, in which the fashion house agreed to structural changes to promote equity, including hiring more diverse employees and executives; and an agreement with Zara to create employment opportunities for non-gender conforming and non-binary people, after a transgender person was turned away from the dressing room of their preference at one of the retailer’s NYC locations.

In order to build our understanding of restorative justice, Commission staff have attended trainings and events with the Restorative Justice Institute, the Center for Creative Conflict Resolution at OATH, NYC Transformative Justice Hub, and other organizations.