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 Question 01:38 Meet Claire Standen 03:18 What Reclamation Aims For 05:26 Trauma Work Meets History 09:02 The Synchronicity Road Trip 15:40 Reclaiming Witch Legacy 20:26 Apologies vs Reparations 24:21 Inherited Silence and Epigenetics 27:03 What Makes Apology Meaningful 31:32 Why a Gifted Church Matters 40:12 Center for Female Authority Vision 45:32 How to Help and Connect 48:18 Closing Reflections Links: Reclamation Project The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials Salem Witch Trials Daily Salem Witch Trial History YouTube Channel