In the article “Analysis: How I Turned from Violence to Healing and Reconciliation,” author Devon Gaster recounts his transformative journey from committing domestic violence to becoming an advocate for nonviolence and restorative justice. In 1997, Gaster was arrested for physically assaulting his ex-wife during the dissolution of their ten-year marriage. Initially, he deflected blame and minimized his actions. However, as part of his legal proceedings, a judge mandated his participation in Manalive, a restorative justice-focused batterer’s treatment program.
Through Manalive, Gaster confronted his abusive behaviors and the underlying beliefs that fueled them. The program emphasized accountability and employed a peer education model, fostering an environment where participants could support each other’s growth. This experience not only facilitated Gaster’s personal healing but also inspired him to assist others on similar paths. He continued his involvement with Manalive, eventually facilitating groups and conducting outreach presentations on restorative justice. In 2007, he founded Men Creating Peace in Oakland, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals restore connections with themselves, their partners, families, and communities.
Gaster’s narrative underscores the potential for individuals who have caused harm to change when held accountable and provided with appropriate tools and support. He advocates for programs that treat participants with kindness and compassion, arguing that such an approach fosters vulnerability and honesty, essential components for meaningful transformation. His story serves as a testament to the efficacy of restorative justice in breaking cycles of violence and promoting healing within communities.
“When a person causes harm to another person or people in a community, they hold themselves accountable for the negative impact they caused and ask what can be done to heal that harm.”
Devon Gaster, Men Creating Peace Counseling and Education
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