Proposed by Katherine
Issue:
In an attempt to bring both more safety and consciousness to the meeting, I propose that we have a reading that addresses predatory behavior in the meeting.
Background:
I have been at previous meetings where this was done and found it highly effective for group safety. Additionally, I have been the recipient of repeated predatory behavior, including verbal abusive attacks by one long-term member (explicit swear words spoken directly to me) and other predatory behavior by members.
Optional:
Some members may not have outgrown their persecutor or perpetrator traits and may try to meet their needs with fellow travelers. We ask members to be mindful of their motivations when seeking connection and to prioritize recovery, respect, and healthy boundaries while utilizing the “I” statement while sharing. Before approaching another member, consider: ‘Am I seeking connection from a place of recovery, or am I looking for someone to meet needs I am still learning to meet in healthy ways?’ Unwanted attention, repeated advances, targeting vulnerable members or newcomers, or any behavior that feels coercive, manipulative, or predatory is not appropriate in this space, and we are committed to maintaining a safe environment where everyone can focus on healing and recovery.
2 thoughts on “Motion 26-10: Addressing Predatory Behavior”
Thank you for bringing this forward. I support including this in meeting script. Maybe not every day, but on a regular basis. There are many who identify with the “flip side of the laundry list” and may (unconsciously or not) practice a controlling behavior in an attempt to seek fellowship. The way this is worded is gentle and invitational to those who are recovering from the “flip side” traits.
This motion would be strengthen by describing how to seek support from the meeting volunteers if someone experienced a predatory behavior related the SMR meeting.
It is shocking and disheartening to hear that this behavior occurs. That said, I have strong reservations about any further safety language in the script. The meeting already has a robust safety-violation protocol in place — reporting, review, warnings, and enforcement mechanisms — all the result of exhaustive collective effort about three years ago.