The qCJ Approach

“Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably” (NAC International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity)

 “The process of unlearning colonialism by centering Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing into spaces that were once created by imperialist forces for the purpose of assimilation.” (Nolan Louie) Decolonization aims to dismantle ongoing systems of Indigenous oppression.

“An anti-oppression framework starts from the premise that privilege and oppression exist within society, resulting in unequal access to power. This unequal access to power results in privileged groups gaining greater access to information, resources and opportunities whereas those groups that are oppressed experience the opposite” (Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses)

Feminism can refer to philosophical or sociological theories, political movements, social movements, beliefs, and more. “To be ‘feminist’…is to want for all people, female and male, liberation from sexist role patterns, domination, and oppression.” (bell hooks). A feminist framework acknowledges gender-based power differentials.

Trauma-informed practice means “having a basic understanding of the psychological, neurological, biological, social and spiritual impact that trauma and violence can have on individuals seeking support…(and) understand(ing) potential paths for healing”. (Klinic Community Health Centre). Trauma-informed practice is strengths-based and prioritizes acknowledgement, safety, trust and compassion.

Being victim-centred means “placing victim/survivors’ needs at the centre of the … response”, sharing information, asking consent, prioritizing confidentiality, providing choice and gathering feedback. (UN Women’s Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence against Women and Girls)

Harm reduction “focuses on reducing harmful effects of behaviours in a way that supports personal choice, individual strengths and the motivation to change, without imposing moral judgements.”(Marina Morrow, Monika Chappell). While often associated with substance use, the framework is widely applicable.

Restorative Justice is a philosophy and set of practices that “refers to a way of responding to crime, or to other types of wrongdoing, injustice or conflict, that focuses primarily on repairing the damage caused by the wrongful action and restoring, insofar as possible, the well-being of all those involved” (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

“Transformative Justice (TJ) is a political framework and approach for responding to violence, harm and abuse. At its most basic, it seeks to respond to violence without creating more violence and/or engaging in harm reduction to lessen the violence.” (Mia Mingus)

Community accountability is a “community-based strategy, rather than a police/prison-based strategy, to address violence within our communities (a process which) creates and affirms values & practices that resist abuse and oppression and encourage safety, support, and accountability” (INCITE! Women of Colour Against Violence)