Today I took the first step on the long road to understanding, changing and doing repair for actions that contributed to harm in a process that was retraumatizing for one of the survivors involved. I share this here with the permission of the survivor.
I share it because I believe harm is a community matter, not only a personal matter. Even if the harm happens when we are trying to help, it is important to listen and take steps to understand, change where necessary, and repair.
But most importantly, I share this because writing a book about how to intervene in harm doesn't mean I am not capable of harm. We are all capable of harm and we are all responsible for addressing the harm we do.
I believe that calling someone to account for the harm they do is an act of love.
