Being Trauma-Informed: Expanding our Lenses

In many places, the trauma resulting from violence and other severe stressors has been addressed mainly by trained mental health workers. At the same time, research has explored the harmful effects of trauma and suggested ways to address them. What has been missing from this approach is the acknowledgement that for many people, especially in communities of color, indigenous communities, and immigrant communities, the trauma is caused by a combination of both types of agents; individual (violence from partner, stranger, family member, etc.) and collective (historical oppression, discrimination, denial of rights and services, etc.). This requires approaches grounded in the community's experience of both types of trauma and a close and trusting relationship between organizations and survivors. This webinar provides concrete information based on the practical work of culturally specific organizations, including their approaches and philosophies with survivors from historically underserved communities. Participants can learn how culturally specific organizations view trauma and the principles that shape our approach to ending violence in our communities.