1. Trauma Informed Response
Jen Brockman; MA
Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center
Jen

2. What is Trauma Big T and little t DSM V:
exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence
Based on perception
- Event that leaves the person feeling overwhelmed, out of control, helpless and which one perceives as threatening.
Britte

3. How People Act Like It Is
More Than My Context…
How People Act Like It Is
How It Actually Is
Jen

4. Blank Slate
vs.
ACEs
Britte

5. Neurobiology of Trauma
Neurobiology helps to explain human behavior in terms of the activity of the brain. Trauma changes the structure and function of the brain in response to the experience.
Jen

6. Neurobiology of Trauma
Survivors experience sexual violence as a life-threating event, regardless of whether physical injury was present or weapons were used. Sexual Violence =Trauma
Jen

7. Neurobiology of Trauma
Jen

8. HPA Axis: 96 hour hormone “dump”

9. Effects or “Symptoms” of Trauma
Hyper arousal
Flashbacks
Avoidance
Substance Abuse
Illness
Withdrawal
Self-Harm
Suicidal Ideation
Inability to Focus
Britte

10. What is Trauma-Informed Care
What’s wrong with you?
vs.
What happened to you?
Informed
Holistic
Strength-based
Collaborative
Britte

11. Core Principles of a Trauma-Informed System of Care
Safety
Trustworthiness
Choice
Collaboration
Empowerment
Britte

12. Things Well Intentioned People Say…
People are good. I truly believe that. That most intentions come from a place that strives for compassion, but these intentions often crash and burn due to ignorance, empathy limitations, or misguided attempts at advocacy. We are all guilty of being these “well intentioned” individuals…even the best of us. Let’s take some time and reflect on what these “well intentioned” statements can look like. Around the room you will see common statements that are often used with the best intentions when speaking to survivors of sexual violence and trauma in general. Please visit these signs and adhere a sticker to each statement that you have utilized before.

13. Things Well Intentioned People Say…
At least…
If I were you…
The same thing happened to my…
I’m not blaming you, but…
This too shall pass
It could always be worse

14. Jen

15. What you can do Normalize and validate responses Provide choices
Maintain Confidentiality (as much as possible)
Be supportive of choices
Offer resources if available
Don’t offer more than you are able to do
Britte

16. What you can say
I believe you
I’m sorry this happened
Thank you for telling me
One way to make connections is to show you are actively listening. Reflecting feelings can reflect active listening
“It sounds like you are feeling ______”
Britte

17. Situational Review
Jamie has been missing assignments, acting distracted, and struggling with physical illness. Jamie schedules an appointment to speak with an advisor. Before they can ask for help, Jamie breaks down. The advisor hand the Jamie a tissue and says “don’t cry what ever it is we can fix it.”
Jamie discloses a long story about trauma throughout this semester.
The professor tells Jamie “everything will be okay, but you have to speak to someone in the counseling department for help with your problem if you want to be successful this semester. But thank you for sharing this with me.”
Jamie leaves the office with a resource number for campus counseling's appointment line.

18. References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Clark, Carrie, Classen, Catherine C., and Fourt, Anne. Treating the Trauma Survivor : An Essential Guide to Trauma-Informed Care. Florence, KY, USA: Routledge, ProQuest ebrary. Web. 9 April Copyright © Routledge. All rights reserved.  
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Hopper, E. (2009). Yoga-Based Interventions, (1-31). Powerpoint Presentation delivered November 2009.
Trauma Informed Care Project,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative (2012). SAMHSA's working definition of trauma and guidance for trauma-informed approach. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
US Dept. of Veterans Affairs,
(Alvarez and Sloan, 2010) . Alvarez, G. and Sloan, R., Trauma: Considering Behavior Through a Trauma Lens, (2012) Powerpoint Presentation: Eyerly Ball-Westminster House, 1-49.