What is Trauma?

'Trauma is the lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event. Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person's sense of safety, sense of self and ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships. Long after the traumatic even has occurred, people with trauma can often feel shame, helplessness, powerlessness and intense fear.'

- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/trauma

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'Trauma informed care embraces a perspective that highlights adaptation over symptoms and resilience over pathology.'

-Elliot, Bjelajac, Fallot, Markoff & Reed (2005)

All beings, at some point in their lives, will experience a traumatic event. Researchers have identified that some forms of trauma including war or murder can lead to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. However, events that may seem 'minor' to others can have major consequences, especially with regards to mental health. Ongoing harms can have a deleterious effect on an individual, just like a singular traumatic event. Trauma is a subjective experience and can have life-long physical and mental health effects.

A trauma-informed approach is one of the most essential ingredients to understanding and addressing sexual misconduct. Trauma-informed practices can help to mitigate harmful effects and promote healing and resiliency. These practices should be applied equally to everyone involved in matters of sexual misconduct, including Respondents.

Trauma-informed practice (TIP) include includes the following principles:

Awareness

Safety

Choice

Collaboration

Trustworthiness

Empowerment

Connection

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The application of TIP varies widely depending on the area of practice. It has been used in healthcare, education, social work, the legal system, and in many other types of settings.

Examples:

In an investigative interview, the investigator would ask a person where and when they would like the interview to take place, to promote the principle of choice.
In an alternative resolution, a facilitator may deliver a letter of apology from a Respondent to a Complainant, to promote the principles of safety and connection.

Currently, an increasing number of systems and workplaces are becoming more trauma-informed. Although the applications of TIP will change depending on the setting, the basic principles can be broadly applied.

Awareness is essential to providing TIP in any area. Vulnerable populations are at increased risk. Issues of sexual misconduct can happen to anyone, and it is not uncommon for those who cause harm to have also been harmed themselves.

Within the 'awareness' aspect of the TIP framework, an understanding of the intersectionality of trauma is essential. In a legal context, this aspect is of utmost importance. Additional considerations in post-secondary institutions are issues related to power and privilege, and the hierarchies present within academic settings.

Kimberlé Crenshaw: What is Intersectionality?