Healing the Past: The Reclamation Project with Claire Standen

Reclamation: Restorative Justice and a Church Returned for Scotland’s Accused WitchesWe follow the question history books can’t answer: once the harm of witch hunting is acknowledged, what does repair look like? Trauma resolution practitioner Claire Standen, founder of Reclamation, is building a Scottish community interest organization seeking reparations for the thousands prosecuted under Scotland’s Witchcraft Act (1500s–1700s), arguing apology without action isn’t meaningful. Her central demand is radical and concrete: the Church of Scotland—already apologetic—should gift an unused church building (not sold or grant-funded) to be stewarded as a community headquarters and a Center for Female Authority, reclaiming sacred space once tied to persecution. Drawing on trauma work and epigenetic inheritance, she connects historic terror to today’s inherited silence and societal patterns, and outlines a restorative justice approach where those harmed define what healing requires. Reclamation is seeking social media support and seed funding via ourreclamation.org.00:00 Show Intro and Big Question01:38 Meet Claire Standen03:18 What Reclamation Aims For05:26 Trauma Work Meets History09:02 The Synchronicity Road Trip15:40 Reclaiming Witch Legacy20:26 Apologies vs Reparations24:21 Inherited Silence and Epigenetics27:03 What Makes Apology Meaningful31:32 Why a Gifted Church Matters40:12 Center for Female Authority Vision45:32 How to Help and Connect48:18 Closing ReflectionsLinks:Reclamation ProjectThe Thing About the Salem Witch TrialsSalem Witch Trials DailySalem Witch Trial History YouTube Channel