Relational consent as protection and empowerment: An ethical framework for mothers and youth in IPV

BACKGROUND: In counseling practice, including work with mothers and children exposed to intimate partner violence (CEIPV), consent processes are sometimes operationalized primarily through forms and signatures. When consent is handled in this way, counseling interactions may inadvertently reflect relational patterns linked to abuse, especially if the impacts of trauma, coercion, and mistrust are not addressed with active support for choice, pacing, and comprehension. OBJECTIVE: This article presents relational consent as a trauma-informed, ethically grounded framework that views consent as an ongoing, relational process rather than an administrative event. METHODS: This conceptual paper reviews ethical and legal standards for valid consent in Canada and applies them to CEIPV contexts. Relational consent is described through three interconnected pillars (protection, repair, and alliance) and illustrated with practical examples. RESULTS: Relational consent reframes consent as an ongoing dialogue that reduces the risk of retraumatization, helps restore maternal authority, and affirms children's voices. Protection focuses on safety, pacing, and clear communication about rights and boundaries. Repair tackles relational ruptures caused by violence by restoring caregiver authority and empowering children's agency within consent discussions. Alliance emphasizes the collaborative trust that develops when consent is revisited over time and agreements are consistently honoured. CONCLUSIONS: By reframing consent as protection, repair, and alliance, this paper advocates that consent is a vital ethical practice rather than merely an administrative formality. In CEIPV contexts, relational consent functions both as a safeguard and an intervention, exemplifying dignity, choice, and relational safety for mothers and children affected by violence.