Trauma-Related Responses #
Trauma responses stem from experiencing traumatic events, such as human trafficking, and can affect how people think, feel, behave, and physically react to certain situations (Office on Trafficking in Persons, n.d.). These are survivor resilience strategies unique to each survivor, even between people with shared experiences. Negative perceptions and a lack of understanding by the community about the experiences and needs of survivors of human trafficking can add to the trauma experienced by survivors and its effects. Below are some examples of trauma responses that can manifest physically, emotionally, behaviorally, or cognitively (in your thinking):
Physical
- Headaches
- Chronic pain
- Sleep issues
- Fatigue
- Stomach issues
Emotional
- Guilt
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Difficulty experiencing joy
- Shame
Behavioural
- Anger-related issues
- Substance use
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Risky or impulsive behaviours
- Eating disorders
Cognitive
- Difficulty concentrating
- Intrusive thoughts
- Forgetfulness
- Negative view of oneself
- Persistent worry or fear of the future
- Dissociation
(Office on Trafficking in Persons, n.d.)
Long-term Impacts #
Survivors of trauma can experience feeling consistently unsafe even within their own bodies. Healing is a journey that is not one-directional but rather has ups and downs, and past experiences of trauma can cause ongoing internal discomfort. People cope in different ways. Some may instinctively ignore their gut feelings or disconnect from their physical and emotional sensations. Others may instinctively freeze or fight, and some form attachments to their traffickers and abusers as survival strategies. Trauma can also cause people to have fragmented memories—emotions, sounds, images, and sensations—that resurface and feel like the trauma is happening again. This constant sense of fear and danger can leave survivors feeling overwhelmed and disconnected as they focus their energy on their trauma responses instead of engaging in daily life (Elizabeth Fry Toronto, 2019, p. 28-29). It is important for Networks of Care to recognize that this is a journey that they are embarking on with survivors, and to approach this with compassion and care.
Some of the interventions that survivors can explore to better cope with trauma responses include:
- Immediate emotional support: Offering help in the moment to help the survivor stabilize their emotions and create a sense of safety. This is called psychological first aid, where the focus is on calming the person and helping them feel supported in the moment.
- Grounding techniques: Activities that engage the senses (like focusing on a specific smell, sound, or texture) can help feel more present and calm when feeling overwhelmed by emotions or memories.
- Self-soothing & relaxation: Simple techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or using comforting objects can help reduce stress and feel more relaxed during difficult moments.
(Office on Trafficking in Persons, n.d.)
Take a look at our Self-Care section for examples and resources on different grounding and self-soothing exercises
Vicarious and Secondary Trauma #
Recognizing Secondary Trauma
Vicarious or secondary trauma is a trauma response to trauma that you have not personally experienced. This can happen over time as an effect of being exposed to someone else’s trauma. This is a common experience among those in helping professions who are exposed to other’s trauma as part of their jobs such as social workers, firefighters, and paramedics.
Experiences vary but can include:
- Nightmares
- Missing work
- Lack of motivation
- Isolation
- Avoiding survivors’ disclosures
- Unhealthy coping skills
- Hyper-awareness of one’s safety and of the safety of loved ones
- Avoiding physical intimacy
- Growing a pessimistic worldview
- Distancing from spiritual beliefs
- Stress-related medical conditions
- Burnout
Sometimes, one may feel guilty that they feel this way and feel like they are not allowed to connect with the trauma-inducing event. Many don’t seek support because they don’t believe they are worthy. That is NOT true. It is 100% OK to get help. Despite not experiencing the trauma first hand, does not mean the feelings, emotions, and reality you are experiencing are not real. It exists, and because of that, you deserve to heal like anyone else.
Coping with Vicarious Trauma #
Below are some strategies from the Cleveland Clinic (2024) that can help to cope with vicarious trauma better:
- Think of yourself as a conduit, not a sponge, finding ways to allow other’s pain to flow through you, NOT soak it in
- We can hold space for others’ trauma, BUT it doesn’t help us to carry the trauma
- We must first take care of ourselves in order to take better care of others (especially those who are in a tough situation)
- Acknowledge the ills without them taking hold
- Engage in hobbies
- Engage in grounding techniques, breathe or, mindfulness & guided imagery
- Socialize with friends and family
- Take care of physical health (eat, sleep, and exercise well)
- Limit or avoid heavy content and topics in the media