“The first principle of recovery is empowerment of the survivor,” wrote psychiatrist and trauma expert Judith Lewis Herman in 1992. “She must be the author and arbiter of her own recovery.”

Three decades later, how many service providers embrace this?

Data suggests at least a third of Canadians seeking services — in health care, housing, justice, or other systems — will have histories of trauma. However, many service providers have yet to act on this knowledge and implement best practices to care for survivors appropriately.

To help address this gap, Shelter Movers Vancouver hosted "Diverse Perspectives: Empathy in Action," a webinar gathering diverse experts to discuss the practices of trauma-informed care across a variety of community services. We heard from Anniken Chadwick, a pelvic floor physiotherapist and founder of The Cheerful Pelvis, Amy S. FitzGerald, a public interest lawyer and the Interim Executive Director at the BC Society of Transition Houses, Lisa Rupert, the Vice President of Housing and Violence Prevention at Metro Vancouver YWCA, and Parmvir Singh Boparai, an Enhanced Family Counsellor for the refugee and immigrant specialized experience program (RISE) at DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. Below, we summarize their insights and actionable strategies to create safer, more empathetic spaces for survivors of gender-based violence.

Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed approaches are practices that acknowledge the wide prevalence of violence and abuse and, therefore, trauma. By design, these approaches help minimize harm and retraumatization for survivors by creating an environment of safety, trust, and empowerment. Trauma-informed services are rooted in understanding the effects of trauma, recognizing the signs and symptoms, and responding with practices that support recovery.

In the context of housing services, Amy S. FitzGerald from BC Society of Transition Houses shared that investing in bright and airy spaces can distance survivors from previous experiences of feeling trapped. In healthcare settings, Anniken Chadwick of The Cheerful Pelvis emphasized the importance of taking the time to obtain embodied, informed consent. Across community service providers, cultural safety is a significant principle of trauma-informed practices. This approach emphasizes respecting cultural beliefs and practices so that survivors of all cultural identities can feel supported, safe, and in control of the care they receive.

Challenges in Providing Trauma-Informed Care

Preventing harm requires a fundamental change in how Canadian systems service survivors. Care and service providers must reckon with the control they have over important aspects of a survivor’s life, such as when and how they access healthcare or housing. This power dynamic can mimic the control abusers exercised over survivors of gender-based violence.

Regardless of intent, service providers can retraumatize survivors. For example, they might show disbelief, minimize the survivor’s concerns, or project authority in their body language and tone. These failures mimic the control an abuser once held over the survivor and further damage the survivor’s trust in authority figures.

That makes trauma-informed care an ongoing, dynamic practice that requires continuous self-awareness and vigilance. For service providers, the emotional demands of working with trauma survivors are substantial and can result in burnout and compassion fatigue. Without the right support in place, these stressors will eventually undermine their ability to provide adequate care.

Practicing Trauma-Informed Care

From housing services to community care and pelvic therapy, the expert panelists at the webinar shared hard-won insights on trauma-informed practices in their respective fields. Here are some key strategies for enacting the principles of trauma-informed care as loved ones, volunteers, or service providers:

1. Survivor-Centered Approach:
   • Empower the survivor to define what safety and healing look like for them. Traditional ideas of recovery can be limiting; instead, give the survivor a voice in the process.
   • Recognize that consent is an ongoing process. Always seek verbal consent and check for non-verbal cues like relaxed, open body language. Be present and attuned to the survivor’s needs.
2. Cultural Responsiveness:
   • Learn about and respect the cultural values, beliefs, and practices of the survivor. Reflect on your own cultural biases and engage in deep listening.
   • Be flexible and open to different ways of communicating, such as accepting intermediaries in interactions.
3. Incorporating Faith and Community:
   • Many survivors find strength and hope in their faith and community. Incorporate faith-based and community practices into care when appropriate.
   • Understand that traditional Western practices may not benefit every survivor. Be open to drawing from diverse practices and teachings to support healing.
4. Self-Reflection and Continuous Learning:
   • Regularly question your methods and be open to feedback from new people in your circle. This self-awareness is crucial for providing effective support.
   • If you work as a care or service provider, create frequent opportunities for policy reviews and engage with clients regularly, not just when introducing new practices. This ongoing dialogue ensures that practices remain relevant and effective.
5. Self-Care for Service Providers:
   • Service providers should also have access to tools for self-care to prevent burnout. Engaging in self-care practices helps maintain the quality of support provided to survivors.
   • Ensure a supportive work environment where service providers can share their experiences and seek support when needed.

Empowering survivors of gender-based violence requires a collective effort, ongoing learning, and a commitment to creating supportive spaces. By adopting these practices, we can build communities where survivors feel heard, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Missed our webinar? Watch the recording for "Diverse Perspectives: Empathy in Action," a Shelter Movers event about the principles of trauma-informed care.

Are you a believer in the principles of trauma-informed care? So are we! Get involved with Shelter Movers by donating online today or apply to volunteer in your local chapter. Your support helps survivors get a fresh start at a new life.