Ultimately, it is to discourage them from causing further harm. For victims, its goal is to give them an active role in the process and understand their offender. When Anderson started in 2006, restorative justice was perceived as a soft option. It was criticised by those who saw punishment as an integral part to Kiwis sense of justice. People wanted to see offenders locked away without mercy. But pursuing restorative remedies were becoming more empowering. And they re working. For several years, Anderson teamed up with Ruapehu s family violence co-ordinator, Gabrielle Quirke, to curb domestic assaults. The pair ran the Whakakotahitanga domestic violence programme out of the Taumarunui police station.