SASKATOON — In recognition of National Restorative Justice Week in Saskatchewan, the Government of Saskatchewan is highlighting its allocation of more than $770,000 to support the Restorative Action Program (RAP) in Saskatoon.
RAP is a school-based restorative justice program that operates in 11 of 16 Saskatoon high schools. The program is offered to students at Bethlehem Catholic, Bishop James Mahoney, E.D. Feehan Catholic, Holy Cross, St. Joseph, Bedford Road Collegiate, Mount Royal Collegiate, Tommy Douglas Collegiate, Walter Murray Collegiate, Nutana Collegiate and Centennial Collegiate. Five high schools have a full-time RAP facilitator, while the remaining six schools have part-time facilitators.
RAP's mandate is to empower youth to create safe, respectful and caring communities through prevention, intervention and reconnection. RAP facilitators are trained in mediation, conflict resolution and harm reduction. They offer guidance to students in the areas of bullying, physical violence, crime, mental health, substance abuse, suicide and self-harm.
In 2022-23, RAP was accessed by over 1,200 students and facilitated 393 successful mediations. In the same year, students accepted responsibility and repaired harm in 100 per cent of the mediations completed. Many students self-referred to the program, which indicates a willingness by Saskatoon students to recognize potential harm to themselves and others.
According to the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice, RAP-involved students have shown improved communication, an increase in school retention and academic perseverance, as well as demonstrated reductions in the severity of their conflicts.
RAP also receives funding from the Saskatoon Public School Division, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, Saskatoon Police Service, five Rotary Clubs of Saskatoon, Citrine Foundation of Canada, and numerous private supporters.
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