NYU Silver Professor Dr. Briana Barocas to lead $8M study on restorative practices for Domestic and Sexual Violence

NYU Silver's Dr. Barocas Receives $8M Grant: In an effort to improve responses to domestic violence and sexual assault, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded a five-year, $8 million grant to NYU Silver School of Social Work’s Research Professor Dr. Briana Barocas. Dr. Barocas and her team will lead an extensive study to evaluate restorative practices in 11 pilot sites across the United States, with the goal of understanding how these methods may provide alternative, healing-focused options for victims while holding offenders accountable.

Restorative practices, which are centered around victim-centered and trauma-responsive approaches, provide a pathway for victims to heal outside the conventional criminal justice system, which can sometimes feel punitive and isolating to survivors of abuse. Dr. Barocas, who is also the Chief Research Officer at NYU’s Center on Violence and Recovery, will lead this landmark study with a team of experienced researchers and practitioners from across the country. This initiative comes at a pivotal time, marking the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), reauthorized in 2022 to expand the use of restorative justice programs as a response to domestic and sexual violence.

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A New Approach to Accountability and Healing

Research suggests that many victims of domestic and sexual violence choose not to report incidents of harm due to fears of being disbelieved, potential retaliation, shame, and the perception that the criminal justice system is overly punitive rather than supportive. Restorative practices offer an alternative, empowering victims to address harm in a way that feels validating and promotes accountability without solely relying on punishment.

According to Dr. Barocas, restorative practices are a promising path because they emphasize community-led and victim-centered approaches. “To meet victims’ needs in the aftermath of harm, restorative practices offer trauma-responsive, community-led, victim-centered approaches and processes,” she explained. Dr. Barocas highlighted that the study will provide critical insights into the specifics of restorative processes and assess their effectiveness in promoting victim well-being, harm-doer accountability, and community safety.

Goals of the Evaluation

The team’s evaluation will answer key questions about the nature and effectiveness of restorative practices in addressing domestic and sexual violence, including:

• What are the essential components of restorative practices that specifically address domestic and sexual violence?
• How satisfied are victims with these restorative practices, and what factors influence their satisfaction levels?
• To what extent do harm-doers complete action plans that are part of the restorative process?
• How involved are harm-doers in criminal or civil complaints related to domestic or sexual violence during their engagement in the restorative process?

By exploring these questions, Dr. Barocas and her team aim to offer policymakers, practitioners, and other researchers practical insights into how restorative practices can be structured and implemented to benefit victims, provide accountability, and strengthen community trust and safety.

The Team Behind the Project

Dr. Barocas has assembled a distinguished group of experts to co-lead this project. Co-Principal Investigators include:

1. Dr. Sheila McMahon from the University of San Diego
2. Dr. Maya Ragavan from the University of Pittsburgh
3. Dr. Rei Shimizu from the University of Alaska Anchorage
4. Wendi Siebold from Strategic Prevention Solutions
5. Dr. Laura Sinko from Temple University

Additionally, the research team includes co-investigators Dr. Rebecca Betensky and Dr. Kate Guastaferro from NYU School of Global Public Health, Brittany Freitas Murrell from Strategic Prevention Solutions, Dr. David Karp from the University of San Diego, and Dr. Elizabeth Miller from the University of Pittsburgh. NYU Silver PhD students Krushika Patankar and Lucy Prout will serve as graduate research assistants on the project, contributing to the study’s data collection and analysis efforts.

The Significance of Restorative Practices in Addressing Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Restorative practices differ significantly from traditional justice systems. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, restorative practices seek to repair the harm done by creating a space for dialogue, mutual understanding, and accountability. In this setting, both victims and offenders have an opportunity to express their perspectives, leading to a sense of closure and a clearer path to healing.

For victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, this approach provides an alternative to the criminal justice system, which often emphasizes punitive measures. The restorative approach acknowledges the complex trauma that victims face and offers a pathway that prioritizes their emotional needs and agency. By incorporating community-led processes, restorative practices also foster a supportive environment that helps rebuild trust within the community and can reduce the likelihood of future harm.

A Milestone in the Evolution of VAWA and OVW Initiatives

The launch of this study aligns with the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), landmark legislation that transformed the response to violence against women in the United States. VAWA’s reauthorization in 2022 included a focus on restorative justice as a promising area for further exploration. Dr. Barocas noted that this $8 million award from OVW is an important investment in understanding how restorative practices can be applied effectively to domestic and sexual violence cases.

“Our research team recognizes the significance of this investment by OVW in restorative practices,” Dr. Barocas said. “We are honored to have received this award and are excited to take on this work.”

About NYU Silver School of Social Work

Established in 1960, NYU Silver School of Social Work has a longstanding reputation for excellence in social work education and a deep commitment to social justice. Over the decades, NYU Silver has trained more than 20,000 social work professionals who contribute to various areas of the field. With four campuses located in New York City, Rockland County, Westchester County, and Shanghai, NYU Silver offers students diverse opportunities to engage in real-world social work practice. The school remains a leading destination for students seeking comprehensive training at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work.

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As Dr. Barocas and her team undertake this pivotal study, they are set to contribute invaluable knowledge to the fields of restorative justice and victim-centered approaches. The study’s findings will not only aid in the design and implementation of restorative practices that meet the needs of victims but will also offer the criminal justice system new insights on promoting healing, accountability, and community safety in cases of domestic and sexual violence. The project will serve as a critical resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to enhance support for survivors and create sustainable solutions for reducing harm and improving community well-being. For more exciting news around the globe, keep reading Education Post News.