Believing survivors starts long before we say the words out loud.
Dear Colleague,
Many of us say we believe survivors, but our actions tell another story.
We second-guess timelines, ask for more details, or look for signs that someone is “credible.” These micro-validations communicate that survivors must prove their pain. And they chip away at trust one subtle doubt at a time.
Survivors do not need to be consistent to be believed.
Trauma fragments memory, distorts sequence, and interrupts speech. These are not red flags, they are evidence of lived harm. The more we expect courtroom-level clarity, the more survivors stay silent.
Listening is not neutral. It is an act of power.
How we respond, what we ask, and the energy we hold all shape the survivor’s next step. If we respond with skepticism or solutionism, we might reinforce the harm we’re trying to repair. Presence, not interrogation, creates safety.
Belief without condition is the beginning of trust.
Survivors already know when they are being evaluated. They are listening to our tone, watching our eyes, and bracing for our response. When we believe fully, they begin to believe they matter.
You can deepen that trust-building work through the 3 hr CE on Working with Survivors, created specifically to help providers reflect, reframe, and respond with care.
With appreciation for all you do,
#supportsurvivors #traumainformedcare #providereducation #emotionalabuse #relationshipabuse