more than a buzzword: what trauma informed care means
Sexual violence doesn’t just leave physical scars, it can have a deep and lasting impact on a survivor’s mental health. Survivors often face anxiety, depression, PTSD, or a mix of all three. Without understanding the devastating effects of trauma, we may unintentionally cause more harm.
So maybe you’re wondering: How do I support someone I care about? What can I actually do to help? Let’s start with a term you may have heard tossed around but never quite unpacked: trauma-informed care.
In the context of supporting survivors of sexual violence, trauma-informed care isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a powerful, compassionate approach that can truly make a difference. It means recognizing the lasting impact of trauma and responding in a way that promotes safety, trust, and empowerment.
WHAT IS TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE?
Trauma-informed care starts with one core truth: we are all human. This approach honors your humanity and the humanity of the person you’re walking alongside. It invites you to recognize your own limits—what support you can offer, and where you may need to step back. It challenges you to be aware of your own beliefs and values while holding space for someone else’s, including their culture, their faith, and their lived experiences.
Healing is a group project. It’s a deep, ongoing tending to all the parts of a person. And when even one part is ignored—when culture is dismissed, when faith is shamed, when emotional needs are unmet—it can open the door to depression, anxiety, and re-traumatization.
To the Survivor Reading This…
This is for you, too!
Trauma-informed care isn’t just about what others provide for you, it’s also how you care for yourself. This care may look different in various seasons as your healing journey evolves. What you needed last month might not be what you need today. That doesn’t mean you’re regressing, it means you’re growing. You’re changing. And your healing is allowed to change with you.
You are a whole person, and different parts of you are reclaiming themselves in different seasons.
So if today:
Your body is overwhelmed → run your hands under cold water, breathe deeply, stretch.
Your heart is heavy → call someone you trust or reach out to a therapist.
Your spirit feels distant → reconnect with what grounds you: prayer, nature, journaling, music, or community.
FREE TOOL: HOLISTIC HEALTH POSTER SERIES
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re offering a free downloadable Holistic Health Poster Series to help you practice trauma informed care.
Sexual violence doesn’t just cause harm, it takes away power. Trauma-informed care is about giving that power back. It’s about care that listens, affirms, and adapts. Care that doesn’t expect you to fit a mold but meets you exactly where you are.You are not alone in this! You never were! And you never have to be again!
YOUR ROLE IN supporting HEALING for survivors
Whether you’re a donor, educator, caregiver, or ally—you have the power to support a survivor’s healing. Here’s how:
- Share this blog to educate your community
- Download and use our tools in your organization
- Subscribe to our newsletter to receive survivor-centered updates
- Give to support trauma-informed education for girls overcoming sexual violence.
