Restorative Justice as an Alternative Solution in Handling Persecution Cases at the Nias Police Station

This study examines the application of Restorative Justice as an alternative solution in resolving the crime of persecution at the Nias Police Station. Restorative Justice is an approach that focuses on restoring the relationship between victims and perpetrators through mediation, not just punishment. The research method used is qualitative research with a descriptive approach through interviews, observations, and document studies. The results of the study show that Restorative Justice is applied in cases of minor persecution through several stages, namely case identification, agreement between the victim and the perpetrator, mediation involving community leaders, and the making of a peace agreement. This approach has proven effective in reducing the burden on the criminal justice system and providing more inclusive justice for victims and perpetrators. However, its implementation still faces obstacles, such as lack of public understanding, disagreements between victims and perpetrators, unclear regulations, and customary influences that burden perpetrators. In addition, there is resistance from the police who still tend to rely on the conventional judicial system. To increase its effectiveness, wider socialization, training for police officers, and the preparation of clearer technical guidelines are needed. With this strategy, Restorative Justice can be a more optimal approach in resolving the crime of persecution in a fair and sustainable manner.