Lately I’ve Been Thinking About: Accountability in the Wake of Chavez

As we bid Women’s History Month goodbye, I keep thinking about accountability. Specifically around the harm to women and what we can do to shift the burden. I’ve been thinking about this both in the aftermath of the Chavez revelations; the fact that a 96 year old woman is still expected to be a perfect victim; and closer to home, the astronomical DV homicide rates here in Chicago, the majority happen in the south and west sides, where domestic fatal shootings increased by 50%, all while City leaders celebrate a decrease in violence.

When we discuss intimate partner violence/gender-based violence in general, most of the conversation centers around what’s needed–the urgency of now–more shelter beds, more counselors, more resources to escape a violent home. Rarely is the discussion about how we stop this from occurring. Where does the onus lie on abusive behavior? Where are the resources and and policy plans to treat IPV/GBV as seriously as other violent crimes? To shift the burden from escaping to prevention? Right now resources are generally split in three: providing support to survivors (rightfully needed); intervention to the abuser after they have abused–often through the incarceration system with low rates of completion; and insufficient focus/funding on prevention prior to abuse–funding for youth violence prevention that includes DV, for example, is few and far between.

To be clear, GBV happens in every demographic and class. Here in Chicago a big law partner is on trial for DV homicide as well as unemployed men. This spans cultures and communities because there is a universal belief that excuses/permits the subjugation of women.

We see this in the Chavez abuse. A story so sad and sick, to know a man took advantage of the control and respect he had from community to harm the most vulnerable and most dedicated. He clearly felt a level of impunity, a belief he was above accountability. And then, what followed was 30 years of of work to keep his image clean. Then when survivors had the courage to come forward, there are still whispers and judgement “why didn’t she…” “why couldn’t she…”  Little reflection on what it it must have felt to dedicate yourself to a movement, to have that leader violate you, and to know if you came forward there would be no help or support, no accountability, just excuses to absolve him. I wouldn’t have blamed Dolores if she took this secret with her. Instead, she, like women often do, sacrificed for a greater good. How do we respond to this?

Yes, there is policy and legislation that we can/should push. But what is needed is found deeper in our psyche. What is needed so those who offend, who view women as expendable, don’t feel emboldened and untouchable? Ultimately, I’m tried of the responsibility falling on survivors to continue to do the work; work to prevent, to save, to heal without a real discussion on prevention. Because currently any accountability without behavior change is just incarceration and most offenders are actually never incarcerated–they just get to go home. Or, in some cases, their behavior is cleansed away and statues are built in their honor.

The silver lining with the Chavez revelation is the swift response to dismantle a legacy built on harm. May that be our new, collective approach for those who cause harm and may every abuser’s pedestal crumble.