Restorative Justice Approach in the Criminal Response to Domestic Violence Against Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Domestic violence against children is one of the fundamental challenges faced by criminal justice and child-protection systems. Its consequences are not limited to physical or psychological harm; rather, such violence also disrupts the cycle of trust, safety, and the child’s social development. Purely punitive responses, although necessary for containing violent behavior, cannot by themselves ensure the restoration of damaged relationships or the revival of the family’s educational and nurturing functions. Using a documentary–analytical method, this article examines the capacities of the restorative justice approach alongside the criminal response for addressing domestic violence against children more effectively. The findings indicate that linking criminal mechanisms (such as judicial prosecution and deterrent measures) with restorative mechanisms (including supportive dialogue, parental rehabilitation programs, specialized mediation, and non-financial forms of reparation) can, while maintaining the firmness of the justice system’s response, create opportunities for repairing harm, strengthening the child’s lifeworld, and reconstructing the family’s behavioral patterns. Ultimately, the article concludes that an integrated punitive–restorative model, grounded in support-oriented interventions and rehabilitation, constitutes a more effective approach for reducing domestic violence and promoting children’s social development.