The Institutional Trust Restoration Model: Restorative Repair to Institutional Betrayal in Social Work

This paper examines how social work institutions, despite their commitment to justice and dignity, often betray marginalized communities by intensifying trauma through inaction or harmful actions. It highlights the need for transparency and accountability, introducing the Institutional Trust Restoration Model—an eight-step framework to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and promote institutional courage. The model offers practical strategies for transforming organizations, addressing both historical and current harms, and advancing equity and accountability in social work.