The  Arrowsmith Community Justice Society (ACJS) is a community organization whose purpose is to administer a community-based restorative justice program and a community dispute resolution program which promote conferencing as a resolution and peacemaking mechanism for conflict in the community and to involve interested community citizens and resources to accomplish the above services.   The ACJS operates in British Columbia, Canada in the communities of Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Regional District of Nanaimo Areas E, F, G & H.

Restorative Justice is a concept for the criminal justice system that is rapidly gaining acceptance and support throughout British Columbia and Canada. It is an alternative to the current way of thinking about crime and criminal justice.   Restorative justice emphasizes the ways in which crime harms relationships in the context of community.  Crime is viewed as a violation of the victim and the community, not as a violation of the state.   The restorative justice model makes the offender accountable to the victim and the community.   Accountability for offenders is defined in terms of taking responsibility for actions and taking action to repair the harm caused to the victim and the community.   It provides for immediate, active participation by the victim, the offender and the community in the process of repairing the fabric of community peace.

The Community Dispute Resolution process is a gathering involving concerned parties on opposite sides of a non-criminal situation.  The goal is to create a safe and respectful discussion of the item in conflict and form a consensus-based group agreement, which will repair the harm and damage created and to provide reconciliation for all participants.   Often a conflict can occur because there is no understanding of opposing views.   The Community Dispute Resolution process encourages people to talk about their concerns and assists the participants to come to a mutually agreeable solution.