A Nordic ReNEW Workshop on Recognising Sexual Violence. Developing Pathways to Survivor-Centred Justice was held in conjuncture with an international conference by the same title at the end of September 2022.

The aim of the conference was to discuss how, in the political imaginary, the meaning of justice in cases of sexual violence is usually equated with criminal justice. However, research shows that justice for survivors of sexual violence is a more nuanced and complex phenomenon. Taking survivor-centred justice seriously demands the rethinking of different justice mechanisms and the creation of different political, social and legal pathways to justice. To address the “justice deficit” in cases of sexual violence the international conference explored alternative approaches to justice as part of efforts to hold the state and offenders to account. The conference consisted of 5 panels and a plenary session with contributions on the topic in the context of criminal justice, tort law and compensation, administrative justice, restorative justice and transformative justice. The conference was organised by RIKK – Institute for Gender, Equality and Difference and information and recordings of conference talks is available on RIKK‘s website.

At the workshop, which took place the day after the conference, participants continued these discussions. First with a discussion on the similarities and differences of the work being done in the field of sexual violence and justice in the different Nordic countries. Second was a discussion on ongoing and planned research projects in the field with a focus on possible collaborations and opportunities.