Read Survivors 4 Justice Reform’s Open Letter to the Attorney General in Ontario, Canada. Click the arrows below to read through each page and see the list of signatories.

#RJforSurvivorsON

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About Survivors 4 Justice Reform:

We are a global coalition of Survivors of Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking and allies who stand for justice reform. We advocate for options beyond the carceral system, like Restorative and Transformative Justice. We know there is no one size fits all when it comes to justice.

How you can Help:

  • Share our post about this letter on social media AND/OR share this webpage (survivors4justicereform.com/letter) on Linkedin and Facebook. Please tag us @survivors4justicereform and use the hashtags #RJforSurvivorsON #RightToRestorativeJustice

  • Tag Ontario politicians in the comments below the post including the Attorney General @dougdowney_bsom AND tag major Canadian media outlets / reporters in the comments to help us amplify this advocacy

  • If you are a journalist/reporter/influencer or you’re connected with one, please reach out to us at admin@survivors4justicereform.com to explore collaboration. We are grateful for all amplification around this initiative and our survivor-led advocacy work.

  • Consider donating to our coalition via our GoFundMe. We are currently fundraising for our survivor-led podcast which will allow victims to share their stories and advocacy. Additionally, we have been invited to speak at the National Victim Training Institute in Orlando. In order for survivors to go and share their expertise with the advocates attending, we will need to cover travel costs. Thank you for your generosity.

Here’s What Survivors are Saying:

“The punitive system nearly destroyed me after sexual trauma. I was trying so hard to heal but the re-traumatization caused by testifying only set me back. Court was awful and recreated the powerlessness I felt during the rape. When I found Restorative Justice and was able to pivot into that option, justice became a catalyst to my healing rather than an obstacle. I am forever grateful for the healing and closure that came from the restorative process. Survivors deserve awareness of and access to this option that, when done correctly, is deeply trauma-informed and survivor-centred” - Marlee Liss, Survivor, Founder of Survivors 4 Justice Reform

— Marlee Liss, Survivor, Founder of Survivors 4 Justice Reform

“As a survivor, my heart hurts knowing that without change future survivors will continue to navigate a system that doesn’t centre their well-being by offering a choice in how they seek justice. I’ve been sexually assaulted twice and have utilized the only two options available to me—silence and punitive justice—both of which intensified the harm and powerlessness I felt during the assaults. I pursued punitive justice in hope that it would bring accountability and protect others, but when my case was stayed, all it resulted in was compounded trauma. Restorative Justice not only offers a path to accountability and repair, but it also promotes healing instead of suppressing it. I believe it’s a crucial step toward establishing a trauma-informed justice system that respects survivors’ humanity, agency, and right to safer, more supportive pathways to individual and collective well-being.”

— Lola Graham, Survivors 4 Justice Reform Ontario Chapter Rep

"Restorative justice offers a humane and less volatile pathway to recovery. It shifts the focus from punishment to repair, accountability, and the restoration of relationships and community. For me, the ability to engage in a process that prioritizes dialogue, understanding, and the opportunity for direct or indirect communication with the person who caused harm, can be incredibly empowering and profoundly impacts our ability to heal. Every survivor should have the ability to fully heal."

— Fatimah Muwahhid, Survivors 4 Justice Reform, Virginia State Rep