Working With And Regulating Victims

Audio Based Learning

Text Based Learning

In this final lesson, I aim to equip you with a simple yet effective trauma-informed toolkit. These tools can be utilised both when supporting a distressed victim and as part of your own self-care routine.

Why These Tools Are Vital

When working with trauma survivors, accurate accounts are critical for supporting cases in criminal, family court, or child protection settings. However, stress and trauma can inhibit the brain's critical thinking ability, placing the emotional brain in control. As a result, victims’ accounts may become disjointed, and their presentation might not leave the best impression on other professionals who are not trauma-informed.

As the supporting professional, your role includes helping your client show up in the best possible way. While you may have limited time for in-depth regulation techniques, these simple strategies can be implemented in any environment, whether waiting to enter court, taking a formal statement, or completing legal paperwork.

Understanding the Stress Response

Stress often leads to holding one’s breath, which increases carbon dioxide levels, a toxin to the brain and body. Sighing is the brain’s automatic way of seeking oxygen. By practising mindful sighing, we can mitigate the effects of oxygen deprivation and improve brain function.

When the brain becomes overwhelmed by emotional distress, it tends to ruminate on negative thoughts. This is particularly problematic in situations filled with uncertainty, such as:

  • Engaging with the police due to safety fears.

  • Navigating high-conflict family court battles involving ongoing system abuse.

  • Facing a perpetrator in court who has caused prolonged terror.

To support your client effectively, it’s essential to interrupt these cycles of distress and help them stay grounded.

Tools for Regulation and Focus

Here are four simple strategies to help your client (or yourself) stay calm and focused:

Conscious Sigh Breath The conscious sigh breath technique is simple and can be done anywhere. It provides the brain with oxygen while offering a distraction to the critical thinking part of the brain.

Additional Distraction: Mentally count your breath cycles from 1 to 10, then repeat. This engages the brain in a structured, calming activity.

Bilateral Stimulation Engage the body in rhythmic, alternating movements to soothe the nervous system:

  • Walk up and down a corridor.

  • Sway your body from left to right.

This technique can be done subtly in environments like court buildings.

Ice Water

Incorporating cold therapy can stimulate the vagus nerve, which often becomes inhibited during distress. Iced water can be used to support calming the nervous system and restore

equilibrium.

Visual Disruption:

Closing eyes may not feel safe for your client to do in certain environments, or this equally may be unsettling if they are experiencing flashbacks or nightmares. Offering a positive visual distraction in unsettling environments such as court or police stations can disrupt the critical thinking part of the brain as well. Suggest flicking through images that represent happiness and contentment. This can act as a virtual, comforting hug for the emotional brain. However, this may also be a trigger if the happy memories reflect what the brain feels is at risk in the current environment. In such cases, choose images of peaceful scenes like beaches, woodlands, or even planes, inviting the imagination to a time in the future when the current situation is resolved.

If they feel comfortable and have already practised regulation exercises from the Domestic Abuse Breakthrough Bundle, they can incorporate mindful touch with this exercise.

Redirecting visual input in this way disrupts the data communicated to the limbic system.

For a visual walkthrough of these techniques, refer to the accompanying video demo.

Importance of Self-Care for Professionals

As professionals working with trauma survivors, you not only take on their emotional load but may also find your own trauma history triggered by the work. This can be detrimental to your well-being and to your effectiveness as a supporter. An emotionally dis-regulated professional can inadvertently mirror distress to a traumatised client and vice versa through mirror neurons.

To maintain your own self-care, a daily practice is essential. Use the same tools outlined above, along with other self-care tools in the Domestic Abuse Breakthrough Portal, as part of your routine to ensure you are regulated and ready to support others effectively.

And don’t forget to refer your clients to the Domestic Abuse Breakthrough Bundle for home self-care.

These tools, the conscious sigh breath, breath counting, bilateral stimulation, cold therapy, and visual disruption, are simple yet effective. They can help regulate both you and your client during moments of distress, ensuring the best outcomes in high-pressure situations.

By incorporating these practices into your own self-care, you strengthen your ability to support others while safeguarding your well-being.

Thank you for your commitment to trauma-informed practice and for making a difference in the lives of those you support.