This resource is part of the “Strategies for Connecting with Survivors Involved with Legal Proceedings” Toolkit.
This document, part of the “Trauma-Informed Legal Advocacy (TILA): Practice Scenarios Series,” offers practical guidance for legal advocates and lawyers on effectively interviewing domestic violence (DV) survivors who may be experiencing distress due to traumatic triggers. It explains what triggers are, how they manifest (e.g., distraction, anxiety, agitation, shut down, dissociation), and how these responses can impact a survivor’s ability to connect or provide information.
The tipsheet provides proactive strategies for creating a trauma-informed interview environment, including offering options in the physical space, facilitating self-soothing techniques (e.g., crayons, fidget toys, water), explaining procedures in advance, offering breaks, and being mindful about note-taking. It also details in-the-moment interventions for when a survivor is triggered, such as noticing and validating feelings, asking what would help, using open body language, and helping them to get grounded in the present. The aim is to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of legal interviews by creating a safe and supportive experience for survivors.