Restorative Justice in Cases of Sexual Misconduct at the University of Oregon: Risks, Rewards, and Challenges

Abstract

The present research seeks to identify the risks, rewards and challenges associated

with hypothetical restorative justice based responses to sexual misconduct at the

University of Oregon. Prior to this project here was limited research directly applicable

to identifying these risks, rewards and challenges because no university-based

restorative justice programs designed to respond to sexual misconduct existed to be

studied. The present research uses a literature review to investigate the nature of

restorative justice, sexual misconduct, and the laws and statutes that govern both at the

University of Oregon. The literature review is supplemented by qualitative data gathered

from a series of personal interviews with specialists on the subject. The research shows

that restorative justice offers a potentially valuable supplement to existing university

responses to sexual misconduct, albeit one that has a variety of limitations and barriers

that would need to be surmounted in order for it to be beneficial.