Dr. Alissa Ackerman-Acklin is a sex crimes policy researcher at California State University, Fullerton. As a survivor of sexual violence herself, Alissa uses her personal experience and her professional expertise to bridge connections between individuals who have experienced sexual victimization and individuals who have perpetrated it.
In this episode, Dr. Ackerman:
- Explains the concept of restorative justice (RJ), a framework that brings together people who have caused harm with people who have been harmed.
- Talks about the use of RJ worldwide to address societal harms (e.g., apartheid in South Africa), its recent introduction in the U.S. as an alternative to incarceration for low-level crimes, and her proposed framework for its use in cases of sexual abuse.
- Describes vicarious restorative justice (VRJ), a practice that allows individuals who have experienced sexual harm to sit face to face with individuals who have perpetrated it.
Be sure to leave us your comments/questions on this podcast episode!
Related SSP Material: Healing from Sexual Violence: The Case for Vicarious Restorative Justice
You can also listen to Dr. Alissa-Acklin in Safer Society Press Podcast 12 & 13:
SSP12 (Part 1 of 2): Panel Discussion of the #MeToo Movement
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Comments 2
I’m a 56 year old male that was drugged and raped when I was 26 years old by my boss at the time. Male boss. I was also sexually abused when I was 6 years old by our live in gardener. These crimes where never reported. I have never been able to even talk about these events in my life until recently. These event in my 20’s occurred in Palm Springs and the other in our home in Del Mar, California. I don’t know what I want. The PTSD I have now is terrible. It’s worse I think because of the dual events from my childhood and again in my 20’s. A time when I should have been able to protect myself. I’ve always felt there’s not a corner in the universe far enough away that I can hide from this.
Hello! I know this comment is almost five years old, but I wanted to communicate a few important things to you.
I believe you. The childhood sexual abuse, drugging, and rape is not and never was your fault. You deserved to feel safe and you had no obligation to protect yourself from anyone. All of the blame falls on the perpetrators and their choice to abuse someone else. You are innocent. Your sexual assaults are real no matter who the perpetrators were or how long ago it happened.
You are braver than you know for surviving the abuse and violence and sharing your truth on here. Your words are sobering, heartbreaking, and powerful. You deserve to feel safe and heal on your own times and on your own terms. Much respect and peace to you, fellow survivor.