The Implementation of the Circles of Peace Model to Address Domestic Violence Crimes: An Exploration of the Decision-Making Process

Background and Purpose: Restorative Justice (RJ) is a growing movement and set of practices to repair harm, help those harmed be heard, and hold those who cause harm accountable for their behaviors. Circles of Peace (CP), a RJ peacemaking circle approach, is a model that has shown promising results to address domestic violence (DV) crimes. Despite growing interest in the use of RJ to address DV, there is a lack of research on the decision-making process to implement these programs as an alternative approach to traditional DV intervention programs to address DV crimes. Thus, this study explored stakeholders’ experiences and perspectives about the decision-making process in adapting and implementing CP in a new jurisdiction as an alternative DV intervention program. In particular, the research questions include: what led the stakeholders to be interested in searching for alternative approaches to DV crimes?; What were helpful components and challenges or barriers to the decision-making and implementation process?; What were the concerns in implementing the CP program?

Methods: This qualitative case study explored the experiences and beliefs of stakeholders in the decision-making process of adapting and implementing CP for those convicted of DV crimes in case of intimate partner violence in a state in the northeastern United States. Multiple semi-structural interviews were conducted with nine stakeholders (e.g., criminal legal system and treatment provider personnel, victim advocates, and policymakers) involved in the adaptation and implementation process of the CP program. Two researchers coded independently using Atlas.ti and met together many times to compare coding schemes.

Results: Four themes about the decision-making process in adapting, implementing, and supporting the CP model emerged from the stakeholders’ narratives: 1.) Interest in using RJ as an alternative treatment approach for DV crimes [“If something isn’t working, trying something else is always a good idea”]. 2.) helpful components in the decision-making process [“A workshop training on Circles of Peace really helped.”]. 3.) Barriers or challenges in adapting and implementing CP [“We have an entire regulatory structure that expects something like a formal batterer’s intervention program”]. 4.) Concerns in adapting and implementing CP [“There were a lot of concerns about safety”].

Conclusion and Implications: Overall, the findings offer insights into the decision-making process of adapting and implementing CP in a new jurisdiction. First, the frustration about the current primary response of the criminal legal system and willingness to explore alternative methods to address DV crimes among key stakeholders were found to be factors that contribute to choosing to adapt and implement CP. The findings also highlight the significant role of rigorous research evidence on the effectiveness of CP and dissemination efforts in the decision-making process. Additionally, structural barriers (e.g., state standards, certification requirements) and lack of prior knowledge of RJ and CP among stakeholders seem to be major challenges that need to be addressed. Lastly, concerns in adapting and implementing CP, such as finding effective assessment tools to identify appropriate participants and the ways of ensuring victims’ safety, necessitate ongoing systemic efforts.