Some people call it distance because accountability sounds too accurate.

When you step back from someone because of how they behaved, they will often describe it as you being distant or difficult. That framing removes the cause and leaves only your reaction, which is a much more comfortable story for them. It also puts you in the position of having to defend a response rather than discuss the original behaviour. Recognising the move helps you not get pulled into it.

When you are told you have become distant, you can say plainly what preceded it, once. If the conversation stays on your distance and never reaches the cause, you have learned something. You are not obliged to keep arguing about your reaction.