Print version - 4BRIEFINGTraumaInformedLens

No one size fits all: a trauma-informed lens for domestic abuse

SKILLS BRIEFING

If you need further support, please contact the SPOC on 01384 455 411

We ask that you bear in mind your own wellbeing

Please be aware that this briefing will cover the topics of trauma and domestic abuse

Trigger warning

A recording of the briefing will be available after the session has ended

The session will run for 50 minutes with 10 minutes for questions - you will be able to contribute questions through the Q&A function

What can you expect?

What is Trauma?

nvironment

vent

ffect

xperience

“A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization”

UK Government working definition of trauma-informed practice

SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

What is Trauma Informed?

Office for Health Improvement & Disparities

"Realise that trauma can affect individuals, groups and communities”; “Recognise the signs, symptoms, and widespread impact of trauma”; “Prevent re-traumatisation”

UK Government working definition of trauma-informed practice

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

What is Trauma Informed?

POWER

Interpersonal

Chronic

Trauma and DA

Resmaa Menakem

The podcast episode from 'Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso' that the Resmaa Manakem quote is from.

“Trauma in a person decontextualized over time can look like personality.”

Trauma Informed Lens

Key principles of trauma-informed practice

cultural consideration

collaboration

trust

empowerment

Choice

Safety

Kayleigh regularly attends a local toddler group with her three year old Jemima. She is bubbly and confident and welcomes new members and makes them feel a part of things, often helping out staff. She doesn't talk much about her home life, but not in a way that seems evasive or raises concerns. One day, as Kayleigh is helping the Children's Centre worker, Rose, tidy up after a session. Rose notices a bruise on her midriff as she reaches up to put something away. Having a good rapport with Kayleigh, Rose very naturally expresses shock and says "how on earth did you manage that?!". Kayleigh freezes, then laughs and looking away makes a joke about being clumsy before quickly changing the subject.

QUOTES

BIOGRAPHY

Kayleigh

respond

resist

RECOGNISE

REALISE

Let's apply a TI lens to Kayleigh, starting with safety.Rose isn't convinced by Kayleigh's response, and this incident jogs her memory and makes her see some previous incidents and comments in a new light. She is concerned about Kayleigh and worried she may be experiencing domestic abuse.

Safety

REALISE

Rose has already realised that there may be more to this situation than meets the eye. She is being professionally curious and contextualising her concerns within the reality of theprevalance of domestic abuse.

Realise that domestic abuse is widespread and commonplace. Many people are not safe within their relationships and homes.

Realising how common the experience of trauma and adversity is

Safety

Recognise that Kayleigh may well have not wanted to say what really happened because she didn't feel safe to. Laughing it off and denying abuse does not mean nothing has happened, it may just mean the conditions aren't right for the person to feel safe to be honest.

Recognise that people may not be operating from a place of safety, emotionally or physically and this will affect their responses, behaviour and feelings. They may not be experiencing us or our spaces as safe.

Recognising the different ways that trauma can affect people

Safety

RECOGNISE

resist

Rose offers to make Kayleigh a hot drink and asks her if she has time for a chat. Kayleigh says she needs to get home and checks her phone. Rose says she would love to get some feedback from Kayleigh about the toddler sessions and asks if there is a good time and place for Kayleigh and she agrees to come in early next week.

Power must be acknowledged and its impact on safety, both perceived and real. Do not perpetuate those dynamics. Work to mitigate against them.

Looking for opportunities to resist re-traumatisation

Safety

respond

Rose prepares for the meeting with Kayleigh. She makes sure there is a private room booked that they can talk in, and that it is big enough for her three year old to play in the corner and not hear them properly. She gets toys ready in the room and sets up the chairs so Kayleigh will have clear sight lines to her child and the exit.

Look to the person for their understanding and experience of safety. What do they need and how can you facilitate or support with that.

Responding in a way that supports recovery and recognises resilience

Safety

respond

resist

RECOGNISE

REALISE

Rose is all set for her meeting with Kayleigh.She has thought about creating as safe and welcoming an environment as possible, and will now look at trust.

TRUST

TRUST

REALISE

Rose knows that the relationship between her and Kayleigh is crucial to how effective their conversation will be. She thinks about what she can do to promote that trust and prepares by talking to her manager about what she may have to share if Kayleigh does disclose, so she can be honest with her.

The fifth R could be relationships. Connection is how we heal and move on from trauma. Realise that the quality of your interactions dictate their usefulness.

Realising how common the experience of trauma and adversity is

TRUST

Recognise that Kayleigh has no reason to tell you anything. If Rose is right, then Kayleigh's trust is being rewarded with abuse by the person she cares about most. Rose accepts this and tries to understand the situation with this in mind.

People subjected to domestic abuse are experiencing an abuse and imbalance of power within their closest most important relationship. Within the context of this they have no reason to trust you.

Recognising the different ways that trauma can affect people

RECOGNISE

TRUST

resist

Rose waits for Kayleigh to arrive in the waiting room and offers to make her a drink. She thanks Kayleigh for coming and expresses how much she appreciates her support and help in the toddler group.As soon as they are seated Rose explains she does want to talk to Kayleigh about the group, but that she's been also been thinking about Kayleigh's bruise since last week and is worried about her.

Do not expect trust as a given, and do not behave in ways that break it. Transparency and honesty are key.

Looking for opportunities to resist re-traumatisation

TRUST

respond

Rose is clear about what her concerns are and why she has them. She doesn't talk in euphemisims or act embarrassed. She explains how she may be able to help if Kayleigh has anything she wants to share, and what he obligations are under confidentiality.

Be clear and honest at all times even when that is hard and you have to say things that hurt. Show that you do as you say you will through your actions. Actively build trust.

Responding in a way that supports recovery and recognises resilience

respond

resist

RECOGNISE

REALISE

Kayleigh tells Rose there is nothing she wants to share. Rose says this is fine, but if that changes she is always there to talk and goes over they ways she can contact her. She goes on to discuss the toddler group and treat Kayleigh as normal. She does not push or act angry or disappointed.

CHOICE

CHOICE

REALISE

Rose knows that if Kayleigh is experiencing domestic abuse, she will not feel like she has many choices and may be being controlled in a variety of ways. Rose makes sure that all the centre's displays are up to date with support service information, and puts leaflets and posters in the toilets and group room.

Realise that choice is something victims of domestic abuse often live without through coercion by the perpetrator. This can be overt or covert in how it shows up.

Realising how common the experience of trauma and adversity is

CHOICE

Rose has recognised that Kayleigh has every right to make her own decisions about what she talks about when, and given her all the relevant options and information.Kayleigh drops into the centre later that week and arranges to come in early again next week to talk to Rose.

Recognise that not having choices for some time can make it hard to adjust back to having them. Understand the person's perception of choices available to them as well as what practically is available to them.

Recognising the different ways that trauma can affect people

RECOGNISE

CHOICE

resist

Kayleigh turns up early again and tells Rose she has something she wants to tell her. She begins to dislose that her partner has been abusing her for years, but she has never known how to tell anyone and no one has ever suspected. Rose feels so upset and worried as she starts to hear what Kayleigh is telling her. She desperatley wants to jump in and tell her she must leave, but she resists and gives her the space to talk.

Resist perpetuating the taking of control through a desire to help or wanting to get to a conclusion or solution you are happy with.

Looking for opportunities to resist re-traumatisation

CHOICE

respond

When Kayleigh has finished, Rose thanks her for sharing with her. She explains that she needs to talk to her manager about what needs to be shared, and reiterates Kayleigh's support options. She asks if she wants some space to think and they agree that Rose will talk to her manager while Kayleigh reflects on her options.

Respond by providing meaningful choices wherever possible and giving the time and space for the person to absorb, understand and make their own decisions.

Responding in a way that supports recovery and recognises resilience

respond

resist

RECOGNISE

REALISE

Rose's manager tells her that based on what Kayleigh has told her it hasn't met the threshold for a child-safeguarding referral. Rose returns to talk to Kayleigh about next steps. Kayleigh is quiet and doesn't seem to be taking much in. She asks Rose what she should do.

COLLABORATION

COLLABORATION

REALISE

Rose knows that Kayleigh may find it hard to make decisions and has just taken a big step by trusting her and opening up. Rather than take over, she reiterates to Kayleigh the choices available to her.

Realise that working together with someone may be a difficult concept for someone experiencing domestic abuse.

Realising how common the experience of trauma and adversity is

COLLABORATION

Rose recognises that it won't be easy for Kayleigh to take everything in and make decisions about what to do next.She explains this to her, and why Kayleigh may be feeling like this.

Recognise that victims may respond to collaboration with mistrust or misunderstanding- from wanting you to take the lead, or refusing to take your input at all.

Recognising the different ways that trauma can affect people

RECOGNISE

COLLABORATION

resist

Rose explains she wants to help Kayleigh work things out and choose what to do next. She tells her she is the expert in how she feels and what is safe for her, and that Rose is just there to help her with that.

Resist allowing the person's trauma response to dictate your response.

Looking for opportunities to resist re-traumatisation

COLLABORATION

respond

Kayleigh tells Rose she thinks would like to access specialist support. They discuss this in more detail.

Respond by ensuring your behaviour comes from a place of unconditional positive regard, respect and mutuality.

Responding in a way that supports recovery and recognises resilience

respond

resist

RECOGNISE

REALISE

Kayleigh and Rose pull up the details for the Dudley SPOC on a laptop and have a read together.

EMPOWERMENT

EMPOWERMENT

REALISE

Rose knows that Kayleigh may find it hard to advocate for herself and believes she can do it.

Realise that domestic abuse often robs people of belief in themselves through the normalisation of them as the problem.

Realising how common the experience of trauma and adversity is

EMPOWERMENT

Kayleigh asks Rose to make the referral for her. Rose knows that Kayleigh is more than capable of being part of this process, and has a lot to offer that Rose doesn't know.

Recognise that victims of domestic abuse will have strengths and abilities and have been surviving with the abuse in their own way.

Recognising the different ways that trauma can affect people

RECOGNISE

EMPOWERMENT

resist

Rose explains that she thinks Kayleigh's input will be invaluable to the referral and encourages her to call with her on speaker phone.

Resist thinking you have all the solutions and seeing the victim in a one dimensional way. Do not reinforce negative messages internalised from abuse.

Looking for opportunities to resist re-traumatisation

EMPOWERMENT

respond

The referral for specialist support is made together and Kayleigh shares information that Rose wasn't aware of and wouldn't have thought to ask.

Respond by championing their strengths and avoiding victim blaming language.

Responding in a way that supports recovery and recognises resilience

All referrals, including self-referrals can be made via: Telephone: 01384 455 411 (24 hours) Text/Whatsapp: 07384 466 181 (9am-9pm weekdays) Webchat (see our website for details)

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