Trauma — it’s a word we might use often, but not grasp to its full extent. Although it varies in degree and content, everyone experiences trauma. In fact, our relationships with trauma dictate much of how we both experience and move through the world. Trauma isn’t one specific thing; it can be layered, complex, or even repressed so that we are unaware of it. Although difficult to define because of its diversity, in essence trauma is the opposite of safety. Trauma is a lasting response to a terrible or troubling event like an accident, death of a loved one or sexual assault. As such, traumatic episodes, experiences, or eras of our life are ones in which we didn’t feel safe; be it physically, emotionally, or mentally.
Although difficult to define because of its diversity, in essence trauma is the opposite of safety.
These definitions, however, are just scratching the surface of the ways in which our own trauma and the trauma of others, frequently surrounds us in our past and present. This blog series hopes to shed light on many aspects of trauma to facilitate deeper conversations and spawn not only education and awareness, but change. Blog 1 defines a series of terms commonly used to talk about trauma, and provide a foundation for the content. In Blog 2, we start to apply the terms to understand how trauma works in our brain and body, as well as why it exists. Blog 3, explores the relationship between sexual violence and trauma, as well as considers how trauma is perpetuated in society through patriarchy and social systems. Lastly, Blog 4, explores media literacy in relation to trauma by investigating the prevalence of trauma voyeurism in entertainment.
Blog 1: Useful Concepts in Trauma, a Glossary
Blog 2: Why Do We Have Trauma?
Blog 3: Trauma and Sexual Violence
Blog 4. The Prevalence of Trauma Voyeurism