Restorative circles (sometimes called harm circles):
- Support communities in schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, classrooms, sports teams, and so forth, and
- Allow a platform for all voices to be heard and issues to be discussed in a supported, facilitated framework
Restorative circles get their name from the fact that everyone is often arranged in a circle, and everyone (including the circle's leader, who is known as a keeper) is considered equal and gets to speak about the issue. The goal of a circle is to create a set of group norms and a safe space to talk about what has happened and how it has impacted them. Circles also ask participants to take responsibility for harm and repairing the situation. The keeper will often hold pre-conference interviews with key participants before the conference to determine who should be present and the issues to be discussed.