DRO seeks to better help clients through trauma at OVWA training #AdvocacyMatters
March 1, 2019 / #AdvocacyMatters
On February 21 and 22, DRO's Victims of Crime attorney Sarah Hill and advocate Basil Stolar attended a training hosted by the Ohio Victim Witness Association (OVWA) to learn about working with individuals who have experienced trauma. The two-day training, called "Empowered Resiliency: Individual and Agency Focused Trauma-Responsive Care Training," was attended by a variety of professionals from Central Ohio, including social workers, attorneys, and medical professionals.
During the training, attendees learned about the biological effects of trauma on the brain and how to apply a trauma-responsive approach. One strategy Sarah and Basil learned was to "reflect, honor, and connect" with individuals who have experienced trauma by responding with compassion, thanking the person for sharing, and emphasizing their safety.
The training also focused on building resilience among professionals themselves - a difficult thing when it is your job to respond to trauma day after day.
"Being educated on trauma-responsive care has empowered me to be the best advocate I can be for my clients," Sarah says. "I learned that words matter more than we think when helping individuals build resiliency after experiencing trauma. I plan to use this knowledge to 'reflect, honor, and connect' with my clients at DRO."
For more information, check out OVWA's advocate and victim resources and DRO's Abuse and Neglect resources.