Centre for Innovative Justice

Centre for Innovative Justice Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Centre for Innovative Justice, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne.

The CIJ researches, translates, advocates & applies innovative/alternative ways to improve the justice system, with a particular focus on appropriate/non-adversarial dispute resolution, therapeutic jurisprudence & restorative justice

This Wear it Purple Day, we celebrate the strength, diversity and contributions of LGBTIQA+ communities and reaffirm our...
27/08/2026

This Wear it Purple Day, we celebrate the strength, diversity and contributions of LGBTIQA+ communities and reaffirm our commitment to creating safer, more inclusive communities where everyone belongs.

Earlier this year, the Centre for Innovative Justice contributed a submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into anti-LGBTIQA+ hate crimes, advocating for restorative responses that support healing, accountability and community safety. Through research, practice and collaboration, we continue to explore ways that justice can better meet the needs of those affected by harm.

Yesterday, Stan Winford, Director of the Centre for Innovative Justice, spoke at the launch of the Rethinking Criminal R...
25/08/2026

Yesterday, Stan Winford, Director of the Centre for Innovative Justice, spoke at the launch of the Rethinking Criminal Record Checks website and resources at Melbourne Museum. The launch brought together community members, Elders, researchers and partners to celebrate resources developed with community, for community.

The resources support First Nations people looking for work, employers and communities to better understand and navigate criminal record checks in fairer and more culturally informed ways.

Reflecting on the importance of fair employment pathways, Stan said:

"Every fair decision, every yarn, every record that is allowed to rest where the law says it should, is a small contribution to the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people and communities."

Explore the resources and learn more about this important community-led work: https://rethinkrecordchecks.org.au/

With thanks to the community members, Elders, partner organisations and the Victorian Legal Services Board whose contributions made this project possible.

Photos: Pictured in the group photo from left are Palawa Torch artist Thelma Beeton, Professor Emerita Bronwyn Naylor OAM, Uncle Wenzel Carter, Antoinette Saliba, Destiny Murphy, Naomi Murphy, Stan Winford and Professor Georgina Heydon. In the second photo, Uncle Michael "Mookeye" Bell, Stan Winford, and Uncle Wenzel Carter.

We are proud to support the launch of the Rethinking Criminal Record Checks project website and free resources on 24 Aug...
12/08/2026

We are proud to support the launch of the Rethinking Criminal Record Checks project website and free resources on 24 August 2026. These community-informed resources have been created to support First Nations people looking for work, as well as employers and the broader community, to better understand and navigate criminal record checks in fairer and more culturally informed ways.

Funded by the Victorian Legal Services Board, the project brought together researchers from RMIT University, including Bronwyn Naylor, Georgina Heydon and Stan Winford, alongside First Nations community partners including VACCHO, Woor-Dungin, Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation and others. Together, they have developed practical resources grounded in community knowledge, lived experience and cultural expertise.

The resources encourage a more informed and culturally safe approach to criminal record checks and employment pathways, recognising the importance of opportunity, inclusion and fair employment practices.

The website and resources will be officially launched on Monday 24 August 2026 from 2pm to 5pm at the Melbourne Museum. Resources including videos, factsheets, brochures and employer information will be freely available through the project website.

We congratulate everyone involved in bringing this important project to life and thank the First Nations community members, partner organisations and contributors whose knowledge, guidance and lived experience have shaped this work.

Learn more at https://rethinkrecordchecks.org.au/

On International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, CIJ recognises and celebrates the strength, knowledge, and leade...
10/08/2026

On International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, CIJ recognises and celebrates the strength, knowledge, and leadership of First Nations peoples.

We are proud to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, supporting truth-telling, justice, and meaningful reform. Together, we continue to learn, listen, and advocate for a more equitable future.

This July, a group of RMIT law students, CIJ Director Stan Winford, Dean of the School of Law, Professor Diana Bowman, a...
31/07/2026

This July, a group of RMIT law students, CIJ Director Stan Winford, Dean of the School of Law, Professor Diana Bowman, and Course Coordinator Lloyd England, returned from an extraordinary Study Tour to Aotearoa New Zealand - a week many described as inspiring, eye-opening and truly life-changing.

The tour offered students a rare and immersive opportunity to explore innovative, culturally grounded and community-led approaches to justice. Through direct engagement with restorative justice practitioners, Māori legal leaders, community organisations and judicial decision-makers across Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), students gained valuable insights into justice responses that place healing, accountability, culture and community at their centre.

Throughout the week, students were asked what drew them to study law at RMIT. Remarkably, many identified the CIJ as a key reason they chose RMIT, highlighting the Centre’s unique commitment to justice innovation and real-world learning opportunities.

By the end of the tour, students returned with newfound clarity about their future pathways, with several sharing that the experience had reshaped their thinking about legal practice, policy and justice reform.

We acknowledge that it is a deeply challenging week to be talking about violence against women and children in Victoria ...
13/07/2026

We acknowledge that it is a deeply challenging week to be talking about violence against women and children in Victoria - particularly the use of violence by and towards young people. At the same time, it is critical that we continue to progress our understanding and practice so that we can work towards a future where all Victorians, including women and girls, are safe.

With this in mind, Riley Ellard will be joining No To Violence’s Youth Intimate Partner Violence roundtable and webinar this Thursday 16 July. Chaired by survivor advocate Annie King, the discussion will consider the latest evidence, emerging practice and practical insights into responding to young people who use violence in intimate and dating relationships.

If you’re a practitioner or policymakers working in this space, secure your place today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/responding-to-young-peoples-use-of-intimate-partner-violence-tickets-1991516434265

The Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into anti‑LGBTQIA+ hate cri...
24/06/2026

The Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into anti‑LGBTQIA+ hate crimes in Victoria. This week the Committee is holding two days of hearings.

The Centre for Innovative Justice (CIJ) provided a submission to the Inquiry calling for contemporary restorative justice responses to prevent and respond to harm, and the importance of addressing historic violence and hate crimes experienced by the community – including harm from criminal justice systems.

CIJ proposed the delivery of a specialist restorative justice model, developed in partnership with LGBTIQA+SB* organisations who hold expertise and close links with the community, and First Nations-led LGBTIQA+SB initiatives. This model would be delivered by community organisations, outside of criminal justice systems.

Restorative justice is a voluntary process designed to meet the justice needs and interests of people harmed including voice, validation, accountability, information, and resolution. For people who have used harm it provides an opportunity to acknowledge they have caused harm, and make amends, gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of their behaviours, and prevent further harm from occurring.

In the Victorian context, policy and law reform discussions have increasingly recognised restorative justice as a legitimate, safe, and effective justice and healing response to harm.

*CIJ has included ‘SB’ in the LGBTIQA+ acronym reflecting First Nations’ Sistergirl and Brotherboy identities and honouring cultural context.

CIJ is proud to be part of Law Week 2026 alongside Amber Community.Join us for “It Could Happen to Me”, an insightful se...
14/05/2026

CIJ is proud to be part of Law Week 2026 alongside Amber Community.
Join us for “It Could Happen to Me”, an insightful session exploring road trauma, decision-making, and the impact of restorative justice. Melanie Joosten from our centre will share perspectives on the TAC Restorative Justice program and how approaches like this support meaningful behaviour change.
📅 Wednesday 20 May
🕐 1:00–2:00 PM
📍 In-person (Collingwood) & online
🎟️ Free event
Register here: https://www.viclawweek.org.au/program/it-could-happen-to-me

It’s Youth Homelessness Matters Day.Our research with young people who have experienced violence, used violence, and bee...
15/04/2026

It’s Youth Homelessness Matters Day.

Our research with young people who have experienced violence, used violence, and been in contact with the justice system clearly tells us that a safe, stable and affirming home is critical for all young people. Without it, young people are vulnerable to further victimisation, exploitation and criminalisation – including where they offend to keep themselves safe, fed, or sheltered.

40 percent of the homeless population are under 25. It’s time for government to show young people that they matter by investing in youth-specific housing options and associated support, including to promote healing and recovery after experiences of harm.

Read our research on young people’s interrelated experiences of family violence and homelessness here: https://bit.ly/4sC8SfB

If you’re working with young people with interrelated experiences of family violence and homelessness, check out our co-designed practice resource here: https://bit.ly/4sCUe7Y

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124 La Trobe Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

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