Oral

Unaddressed trauma and violence against women must be seriously considered as a public health issue. Advances in the science and practice of behavioral health have helped us understand that violence against women has a huge impact on the employment, health, economy, and even the security of our nation. Recognizing that immediate action is necessary and urgent, more than 20 federal agencies have taken a proactive approach to explore the scope of the problem. These agencies have developed collective strategies for action that could be shared with other federal, state, local, tribal, and private-sector partners. Using analyses of the relationship between traumatic stress in childhood and the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, disability and crime in the United States, panel participants will highlight how their agencies are incorporating “trauma-informed care” as a means to foster safety and transparency in healing and recovery that can be implemented in any setting. The panel will lead a discussion of how a new approach to violence and trauma based on universal precautions and organizational sensitivity can provide the current public system with tools to change trauma victims to trauma survivors, trauma mentors, and trauma healers. While this session’s focus will be on trauma and its impact on women, unaddressed trauma threatens the physical, mental, economic and social health of its victim, the community and the larger society, regardless of the victim’s gender.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe two elements of trauma-informed care. 2. Define how a new approach to violence and trauma based on universal precautions and organizational sensitivity can provide the current public system with tools to change trauma victims to trauma survivors, trauma mentors, and trauma healers.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)