Fostering Safety, Voice and Choice on Campus

Led by Marianne Frapwell, Director of Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education at the Sexual Assault Resource Center (CARE at SARC), the interactive workshop, entitled “Safety, Voice and Choice: Infusing Trauma-Informed Practice into our Work and Workplaces,” invited attendees to reflect on the impact of trauma in people’s lives and apply trauma-informed strategies to support healing, resilience and student success.

Held on both March 3 and March 5 to maximize participation, the workshop marked the latest in the quarterly series, which is hosted by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and funded by the University of California Office of the President.

“We are pleased to continue the Equity in Mental Health series with an insightful workshop on trauma-informed practices,” said Becky R. Petitt, vice chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. “Through this session, we hope faculty and staff will gain a deeper self-awareness and a stronger understanding of how to approach their work with empathy and trauma-informed care, ultimately enhancing their ability to support our students effectively.”

Frapwell, whose career has centered on supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, shared several definitions of the word “trauma” that framed the conversation. One definition, from Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of “The Body Keeps the Score,” states: “It is not just an event that took place in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on the mind, brain and body.”>

“Trauma is a threat to safety and survival that overwhelms one’s ability to cope and is often associated with a lingering feeling of powerlessness,” Frapwell added, sharing her own personal definition of trauma.

Frapwell then introduced six categories of trauma to help participants better understand its complexity and widespread effects. Trauma, she explained, can be acute, resulting from a single event such as a car accident or physical assault that threatens survival and leaves lasting physiological impacts. Chronic trauma occurs over an extended period—such as prolonged exposure to abuse or warfare—and can gradually erode a person’s capacity for trust and resilience.

Complex trauma involves repeated, often invasive experiences that disrupt a person’s development and sense of safety. Frapwell also described vicarious trauma, which can arise from indirect exposure to the suffering of others—common in caregiving roles or through constant exposure to distressing news—leading to emotional fatigue and nervous system overload.

She highlighted systemic trauma as the chronic stress caused by living in environments marked by inequality and oppression, such as over-policed neighborhoods. Finally, generational trauma refers to the way trauma’s effects can be passed down through families and communities, influencing behaviors, health outcomes and cultural norms.

Frapwell emphasized that she was sharing these categories not to normalize trauma or suggest we are powerless to address it, but rather to highlight how pervasive and inescapable its presence is in today’s world.

“What we can do,” she said, “is normalize the impact that living in this world has on us as human beings, so that we can start practicing more empathy for ourselves and for other people.” Recognizing this, she explained, is foundational to trauma-informed practice.

A significant mindset shift, Frapwell shared with the group, is reframing the way we approach challenging behaviors or conflicts. “What’s wrong with you?” becomes “What happened to you?” This shift allows for greater empathy and understanding.

The workshop was not purely informational; participants engaged in small group discussions that included navigating a fictional scenario involving a student. To foster a welcoming and supportive environment, refreshments were provided, along with fidget toys and a “self-care menu” designed to help attendees brainstorm personal and community-care strategies. These thoughtful touches modeled the very practices being discussed—creating spaces where physical and psychological safety were prioritized.

At the core of trauma-informed practice, Frapwell emphasized, are three guiding priorities: safety, voice and choice. “Being trauma-informed means acknowledging the prevalence of trauma and avoiding re-traumatization and feelings of powerlessness wherever we can,” she explained. “Where can we, without needing to know everyone’s trauma history, proactively create spaces that center safety, voice and choice?"

Providing safety is about both physical and emotional well-being, she said. Something as simple as giving people the option to choose where they sit in a meeting can increase comfort and a sense of control. Equally important is how authority and power are communicated in a space. “We can’t get rid of power differentials—power exists—but what can we do to acknowledge it? To name it and to do things that help might support abridgement of that power for folks,” Frapwell shared.

She encouraged participants to model consent whenever possible: asking, for example, “Is it okay if I take notes while we talk?” or “Would you like to take a break?” These small moments reinforce psychological safety and offer greater agency.

Creating opportunities for voice, Frapwell added, extends beyond individual conversations. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that those most impacted by programs and initiatives are actively involved in their design and development from the very beginning. Rather than relying solely on feedback after decisions are made, she stressed the need for consistent opportunities that allow individuals and communities to help shape the process itself.

As she closed the session, Frapwell urged attendees to carry these principles into their programs and workplaces. “Trauma-informed practice doesn’t mean that you have to be perfect,” she reminded the group. “It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being open, it’s about being empathetic, it’s about being comfortable asking questions."