Trauma-informed AND Accountability-informed Principles for Men’s DV Intervention programs.

Because a men’s dv intervention program is trauma-informed should never mean that accountability is a casualty. We can never ignore or neglect other’s safety and boundaries or men’s accountability. Trauma-informed should mean ‘safe not soft’ (Scott & Jenney, 2022) and needs to be counterbalanced with accountability informed principles too.

Accountability has a central role in all healthy relational and moral functioning. It is not a punishment or burden – it leads to well-being and flourishing. When individuals are accountable, they are both responsive to others to whom they owe an honest response, and they are responsible for their attitudes and actions considering these relationships (Peteet, Witvliet, & Evans, 2022). Accountability is a characteristic of mature adult behaviour.

Trauma-informed and accountability-informed care can work together to provide a structure and process that aims to avoid collusion or coercion, and foster growth. These two frameworks need to be integrated into our work with men. This work is about safely and respectfully holding a man accountable without alienating him in the process. It is supporting and motivating men on this demanding journey of transformation. It is about showing men that we care for them so much that we will not overlook or allow them to avoid their responsibility for harming others, and the need to change.

A man’s trauma can be acknowledged and addressed, without shifting responsibility for his violence onto his trauma. Trauma does not cause violence. Facilitators can remain empathic and informed while holding men accountable for their choices and actions. Clear structures and boundaries in men’s domestic work contribute to both safety and accountability, avoiding both rigidity and laxity.

TRAUMA-INFORMED PRINCIPLES:

·        Safety – is emotional as well as physical e.g. Our environment is welcoming and non-threatening. Our staff are non-judgemental and caring.

·        Trust and transparency– Our program is sensitive to men’s multiple needs and clear about the way the program works? We will be honest with you.

·        Choice – We provide opportunity for choice and flexibility (within limits)? We are not here to force you to do anything.

·        Collaboration & connection – We will communicate a sense of ‘working with’ rather than ‘working on’ and a sense of belonging? This is our group, and we work with and for each other’s growth

·        Strength-based –We want to use your strengths and positive capacity to achieve non-violent goals, moving from abuse to safety.

·        Valuing and Respecting culture, history, and diverse backgrounds of men on the program. We value your religion, culture, and background.

(based on Blue Knot Foundation and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] trauma informed principles)

ACCOUNTABILITY INFORMED PRINCIPLES:

•        Victim-Survivor Safety is prioritized – We care about the safety of those you have harmed.

•        Change focus - This is an opportunity for change not a punishment – we are here to work with you for change, but this is your work. We will support your change.

•        Choice - Violence and control are choices – you’ve learned this behaviour so you can unlearn them too.

•        Challenge - You will be supported, on this program, and you will be challenged respectfully too.

•        Expectations - We will be transparent and front-load our expectations of you while on this program, in terms of how to engage, participate, and benefit optimally from the program

•        Multi-agency Information sharing - We will monitor your risk – and your progress – and discuss both with you, and others. Sharing information with courts, police, corrective services, child safety, etc. is part of our transparency

•        Consequences -There are consequences for non-compliance, disruptive and dangerous behaviour - Boundaries of and for safety are non-negotiable.

These are my preliminary attempts at an accountability informed framework. Any thoughts, suggestions, or amendments to strengthen this list are welcome.