A Different Approach to Domestic Violence Accountability in Vermont

Long before this model had a name, circles were used in Indigenous communities as a way to address harm, restore balance, and strengthen relationships through dialogue and collective responsibility. That tradition of sitting together, speaking honestly, and listening with intention helped shape what would later become the Circles of Peace approach to accountability.

In the mid 1990s, restorative justice practitioners adapted these principles into a structured model for addressing domestic harm. The question was simple and urgent. If the goal is safety, how do we help people who have caused harm actually change their behavior, not just complete a requirement?

Today, Circles of Peace is a Vermont-certified Domestic Violence Accountability Program that courts and community partners rely on as part of a coordinated response to domestic harm. HCRJC offers both Circles of Peace and Circles of Peace Youth here in the Upper Valley.

Participants are referred through the courts after causing harm in their relationships. They meet regularly in small, facilitated groups where they examine their behavior, understand the impact of their actions, and practice new ways of communicating and relating to others. The work is structured, reflective, and focused on building the skills that lead to safer relationships and safer homes.

At the same time, we offer extensive support to the people who were harmed. That includes consistent outreach, safety planning, check-ins, and opportunities to share their voice if and when they choose. Accountability in this model does not center only the person who caused harm. It prioritizes the needs and safety of those impacted.

Circles of Peace Youth follows the same approach with adolescents who have caused harm, creating space for accountability and learning while patterns are still forming.

Julia oversees both programs at HCRJC. She facilitates these circles with care and steadiness, guiding participants through difficult conversations and supporting real accountability and change.

This is what domestic violence accountability looks like when it is rooted in restorative justice, dialogue, and a commitment to safety for everyone involved.