This resource is from the “Strategies for Connecting with Survivors Involved with Legal Proceedings” Toolkit.
This document, part of the “Trauma-Informed Legal Advocacy (TILA): Practice Scenarios Series,” provides critical guidance for legal advocates and lawyers on fostering emotional safety for domestic violence (DV) survivors during court proceedings. It analyzes common survivor reactions to court environments—such as anxiety, anger, or “checking out”—as responses to traumatic triggers, including the abuser’s presence, intentional intimidation tactics, and the adversarial nature of the legal process itself. The tipsheet offers proactive strategies for preparing survivors emotionally for court, including conducting virtual tours, enlisting supporters, suggesting a “night before” plan, and developing “what if” plans for potential triggers. It also provides in-the-moment techniques for advocates, such as requesting recesses, validating feelings, and re-grounding survivors experiencing dissociation, all aimed at helping survivors navigate the challenging legal landscape with greater emotional safety and control.