Survivors for Justice Reform (S4JR) is a global, volunteer-run, survivor-led coalition rooted in anti-oppression. We are survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, human trafficking, and systemic harm—alongside our allies—united to advance policy change that challenges the failures and violence of punitive, carceral systems.
We work to challenge ‘justice’ systems that re-traumatize survivors. In their place, we advocate for trauma-informed, community-created responses rooted in restorative and transformative justice models - approaches led by the most marginalized and impacted survivors, including Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, immigrants, and criminalized communities. Through grassroots organizing, survivor storytelling, political education, and policy advocacy, we aim to transform public narratives about harm and justice - shifting minds, hearts and systems toward survivor-centered, non-carceral futures.
Our Why:
The criminal ‘justice’ system is failing all of us. Rates of sexual violence have not declined in +20 years*. Less than 2% of sexual assault cases end with legal sanctions through court*. Less than 6% of survivors report due to fear of retaliation and lack of safety and trust with law enforcement. This is especially true for 2SLGBTQIA & BIPOC survivors who are often dismissed, blamed and even criminalized when reporting victimization. 88% of advocates report that survivors are re-traumatized through the court system*. The punitive system uses dehumanization and non-consensual process in its attempt to end dehumanization & violated consent. We recognize that these harms are rooted in systems of white supremacy, settler colonialism, ableism, and economic exploitation, and we work to dismantle these forces through all aspects of our organizing.
Not in our name: Too often, individuals justify violence towards harm-doers in the name of survivors. The truth is, survivors are not a monolith. Our needs and wants differ. We are here to show the world that not all survivors want carceral or punitive outcomes. It’s time to shift this perception in order to enhance access to alternative justice pathways.
A Pathway Forward:
We lead with hope and humanity.
We recognize the harm caused by carceral systems.
We stand for transformative and restorative justice options beyond the punitive system.
We recognize there is no one size fits all when it comes to justice.
We believe in trauma-informed, survivor-centred justice.
We know that dehumanization and punishment will not lead us to a world free from violence.
We envision a world where systems of healing, accountability, and justice are shaped by survivors themselves, and where reporting harm leads to collective healing and liberation.
Join the Coalition
Join the Coalition
We meet for bi-monthly organizing meetings & skill shares to support our advocacy, plan around policy change, gather as a community, spearhead educational media campaigns and so much more. State reps meet bi-monthly and chapters meet regularly as well. If you’re a survivor or ally who is passionate about this cause, we’re excited to welcome you into the coalition. It takes a village & every voice matters.
What is Restorative & Transformative Justice? Where do these practices come from?
Meet our Founder
Marlee Liss is a somatic educator, social worker, author, award-winning speaker and lesbian Jewish feminist. Her sexual assault case made history in the North America criminal legal system and set precedent when concluding with Restorative Justice. Since then, she has supported thousands in learning trauma-informed pleasure and inclusive consent education . Marlee's work has been featured in Forbes, Huff Post, Buzzfeed, the Mel Robbins Her story is currently being made into a documentary directed by Kelsey Darragh. Represented by Cooke McDermid literary agency, she’s currently working on a narrative nonfiction book about re-imagining justice to be released with Penguin Random House in Fall 2026.
Meet our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Intern: Gwenith Kikkawa
Gwenith Kikkawa (they/them) is committed to strengthening S4JR’s foundation by embedding Anti-Oppression frameworks that spark critical hope and curiosity, normalize hard truths and discomfort, and ensure collective accountability and structural evolution. Gwenith is a first-generation Canadian living on Turtle Island, with Japanese, American, Scottish, French, and English ancestry. As a mixed-race, lower-middle-class, plus-sized, mentally disabled, neurodivergent, nonbinary, queer theatre artist, playwright, EDI consultant, parent, spouse, activist, and scholar, their perspective is shaped by both marginalization and privilege. Through their research, advocacy, artivism, and EDI consultation, Gwenith advances community-based justice approaches grounded in lived-experience leadership, centering anti-colonialism, decolonization, and anti-racism as essential to addressing and dismantling all forms of violence and oppression.
