Neurobiology of Trauma & Sexual Assault

Presented by Dr. Jim Hopper, this training examines how trauma affects the brain during and after a sexual assault. The session explains how the brain's fear response can override higher-level thinking, resulting in automatic survival reactions such as freezing, dissociation, and tonic immobility. It also discusses how trauma influences memory formation, often causing survivors to recall important details while struggling to provide a complete chronological account. By understanding these neurobiological responses, investigators, prosecutors, administrators, and advocates can better recognize survivor behaviors, reduce misconceptions about victim responses, and apply trauma-informed practices that promote effective investigations and compassionate, victim-centered support.