We center survivor voices.  Considering the experiences and needs of those most impacted by violence - survivors and children - is always our first priority. Their wisdom is incorporated whenever possible in all intervention decisions and we see this work as a survivor service. 

We believe that working with individuals who cause harm is a means to social change and essential to reducing violence. Individual and social changes are distinct but inseparable goals that should be pursued concurrently.

We believe that activism, organizing, advocacy, and prevention are also necessary to bring change. Direct services to individuals and families alone will not bring about social change. We must also fight for systems and societal level changes to transform harm.

We advocate for the dismantling of all forms of oppression. Interpersonal violence is intertwined with and compounded by racism, heterosexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, and classism and we must also fight for all to be free from these harms. The structural violence inherent to extractive capitalism (i.e. low wage work, lack of healthcare and affordable housing, etc.) inhibits healing and transformation for all.

We believe in meaningful consequences and accountability for abuse, not violent punishment. We don’t believe that using state violence to address interpersonal violence will bring lasting or positive change. Many survivors rely on the state (police/prosecution/courts) to interrupt violence, yet survivors deserve other options to achieve safety and accountability. 

We recognize the connection between trauma and abusive behavior.  Addressing the impacts of trauma is an essential component towards transformation of abusive behaviors. Everyone deserves access to healing. 

We acknowledge the whole human, not just the abusive behavior.  We treat everyone with dignity and respect and do not believe in shame-based approaches. We incorporate the needs, strengths, and risks of participants into an individualized intervention. 

We believe that everyone is capable of change. We remain optimistic that transformation is possible, for individuals and society, when there is motivation, commitment, and accessible pathways for change. 

We seek to work in community with others. Lasting change is dependent on being in relationship to others and in continual collaboration with our communities. We want to be a partner with anyone doing any type of anti-violence work. 

We seek continual improvement, growth, and feedback. We recognize that no one person or organization has all the answers. We are constantly seeking to learn and reflect. We are ready to listen to any feedback, ideas, or grievances.

These values draw in part from two sources: NYC’s Coalition on Working with Abusive Partners (COWAP) core principles and the Center for Court Innovation/Futures without Violence Guiding Principles factsheet. They were reviewed and edited by Beyond Harm’s Survivor Advisory Board in September 2022. They are meant to form a living, dynamic document that can change as we evolve.