BIP MODEL PRACTICES: PROMOTING ACOUNTABILITY AND ENGAGEMENT Julia L. Perilla, PhD Department of Psychology Georgia State University Abusers 201: Essential Information about Abusers and Abuser Interventions Emerge ~ Minneapolis, MN~November 4-5, 2013 Accountability at Caminar Latino, Inc.

About accountability… Comprehensive approach to our work requires accountability at every level As members of our community, we need to respond in ways that are ◦ Respectful ◦ Consistent ◦ Open ◦ Fair Alternative could result in ◦ Harm to the women and children ◦ Losing possibility to help man change Perilla

Accountability, cont…. Urge male participants to consider program as opportunity rather than punishment Avoid using labels… ◦ Terms like “batterer” prevents us from looking at whole person ◦ Talking and listening to “Luis,” “Tomás,” “José” helps us to look and listen in a different way Opennes to listen & learn from the men Perilla

Group approach Facilitate groups using approach that ◦ Keeps each men focused on his own violence, misuse of power ◦ Explore cultural norms, experiences that taught him that violence was a way to exert control ◦ Model respectful ways of interaction ◦ Ask men to recall instances in which power/class/privilege has been used against him and how it felt Perilla

5 Men’s Program (86 men referred)

More about accountability… Class, country of origin, immigration status are important facts to consider Power and privilege may look quite different Essential to encourage exploration of origins/experiences of violence Ongoing invitation to take advantage of opportunity to learn non-violence ways of being Perilla

To end… Regardless, we (facilitators) must make sure we are helping to increase the safety/well-being (be accountable…?) to the women & children They are counting on us… Perilla