Alice Ophelia
Hyman Lynch is the Executive Director of Black, Indian, Hispanic and Asian Women
in Action (Biha) which helps train communities of color to solve problems that
impact them like domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, chemical dependency,
and HIV/AIDS. Alice Lynch teaches about and advocates for Restorative Justice
as an important way to empower communities to solve their problems in ways that
promote healing. Through this process offenders are held directly accountable
to their victim and their victim's family and community, and must make amends
in some way. "The circle" is a key element of the Restorative Justice
process. The circle process brings people together around common concerns and
creates an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. The circle can include the
victim and the offender, the victim and offender's supporters, as well as members
of the judicial process, such as the judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, police
and members of the community. Each participant in the circle can speak from their
heart and help the circle to create an understanding about the event, and mutually
come up with a plan that will help in healing all who were affected by the crime,
and a way to prevent future harm as well. Alice Lynch
has helped create restorative justice programs all across the country and was
one of the 1000 women who were nominated
for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize as part of the 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize
project.
