Child Abuse Prevention Month & Sexual Assault Awareness Month

For Workplaces

Here are ChicagoCAC’s tips and suggestions for a trauma-informed environment in a workplace serving children and families. We hope that careful consideration of these tips and how to incorporate them within a youth-serving organization can lead to positive interactions that model safe and healthy relationships – an essential component of primary prevention of child abuse. 

• Consider physical space. Will people feel welcome here? What small changes could easily be made to make the space more comfortable?  
• Model and exhibit good personal boundaries. Ask before shaking a hand or going in for a hug, especially while people may have varying levels of comfort amidst the pandemic. 
• Stay brief and simple and don’t over-complicate things. 

• Slow down and take a breath. Sometimes people just need a little more time.  
• Connect before you direct. Don’t just begin to “order” people around. Tell them in a calm, friendly way what your name is, what your role is and that you are glad to meet them. 
• Promote acceptance of where people are at. We can communicate non-judgement through words, body language and our tone. 
• Ask if a person has any questions. Be aware of their body language and know that they may be feeling anxious, angry, tired or all three! 
• Work to remember a person’s name. Talk with them on the same eye level when possible. If they are sitting, sit with them. If they are a child, go down to their eye level. 

• Transitions and change can be hard for people who have experienced trauma. Keep this in mind and find ways to provide more support around these times.  
• Empathetic responses are better than giving advice and interrupting.  Ex: “That sounds like it was really hard for you” or “I’m so sorry that happened. Thanks for sharing. How can I help?” 
• Listen. Use your own silence & pauses thoughtfully as a tool to empower the person you are working with to share.

• Remember your role. If someone needs support that you aren’t trained to give them, seek out assistance or a referral. 
• When asked a question, it is OK to say, “I don’t know, but let me ask someone who might.” 
• Give choices when possible. Remember, many people feel a lack of control, so the more sense of control you can offer, the better.   
• Simmer down before talking. Other people sense when you are stressed out or frustrated. Take a brief time-out, a few deep breaths and settle down before you interact (see reverse side of this page). 
• Know the policy and procedure specific to your program regarding crisis intervention if a situation escalates.  

• Communicate and collaborate. Consult with a supervisor or manager when in doubt.  
• Seek out support to process difficult situations. Take time away if you need it.