Journal: Journal of Criminal Psychology
Guest editors: Dr Masahiro Suzuki, Loughborough University, United Kingdom and Dr Estelle Zinsstag, Edinburgh Napier University, United Kingdom
Introduction text
The special issue aims to advance understanding of restorative justice in cases of sexual violence by centring the perspectives of people who have committed sexual offences, an area that remains underexplored. It seeks to critically examine how these individuals perceive accountability, responsibility, apology, and repair within restorative justice processes, and to assess the ethical, practical, and risk-related implications of their participation.
List of topic areas
Perspectives and lived experiences of people who have committed sexual offences in restorative justice processes
Motivations for participation and barriers to engagement in restorative justice
Constructions of accountability, responsibility, apology, and repair
Desistance, rehabilitation, and reintegration following restorative justice processes
Ethical challenges including consent, coercion, and power imbalances
Practitioner perspectives on assessment, facilitation, and process design
Submissions information
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jcrimp
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emerald.com/jcp
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key deadlines
Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 04/01/2027
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 20/12/2027
Closing date for abstract submission: 01/10/2026
For abstract submissions please contact: m.suzuki@lboro.ac.uk; E.Zinsstag@napier.ac.uk
