What is Trauma-Informed communication?
Trauma-Informed communication is an approach to, and understanding of, successful engagement with survivors of trauma as they navigate these difficult times. It also involves understanding the impact of trauma on physical, emotional, and mental health as well as how it effects behaviors and their engagement with offered support. Through Trauma-Informed communication, thoughtful discourse can take place with an emphasis on helping survivors.
How can I best use Trauma-Informed communication in my daily life?
Any and all interactions using Trauma-Informed communication should be survivor centered. What this means is that the systemic focus of communication should be on the needs and concerns of the survivor. Their safety and wellbeing should be at the forefront of any interaction. By focusing on the wrong committed by the assailant and the trauma the survivor experienced, problems such as victim-blaming can be avoided.
What specific steps should be taken during Trauma-Informed communication?
First, start by believing the survivor. Allow them the option to have an advocate present, such as those provided by MOCSA. Mirror the language of the survivor. In order to best support survivors during their ordeal, it is crucial to listen intently to what they have to say. Try to limit the number of times the survivor must repeat, and subsequently remember, their traumatic experience. Refrain from victim-blaming and remain nonjudgmental throughout your communication.
With these steps in mind, we can listen to survivors of sexual abuse and provide them to the help they deserve.
Crimes of this nature are often underreported, so by creating an environment that allows survivors to feel safe, we can do our part in seeking justice. If you or a loved one has survived a traumatic experience of this nature, we urge you to contact us so that we may fight for the freedom stolen from you by the perpetrators.