Victim-defined advocacy: Each solution is built from the perspective, priorities, and culture of victims. What to build is guided by advocate analysis and determined by victims’ decisions and life circumstances.
Critical thinking using BCS analysis: Advocates’ analysis responds to victims’ circumstances and perspectives. The analysis considers domestic violence, victim safety, poverty, children’s well-being, reduction of violent behavior, along with resource and other strategic factors. Thinking critically is about meaningful and integrated consideration of inter-related issues.
Victims’ safety considerations raise core critical thinking questions necessary to build comprehensive solutions:
How can my partner’s violence be reduced or stopped?
How will I meet my family’s basic needs?
How can I help my children?
Will life be better if I stay or if I go?
Who will help me get what I need to be safe?
Each question is explored separately. It is the integration and response to all the questions that creates individual and system solutions to domestic violence.