This tipsheet, part of the “Creating Trauma-Informed Services” series, provides practical guidance for domestic violence (DV) advocates on fostering emotional safety within their programs. It defines emotional safety as feeling accepted and secure from emotional harm, highlighting its critical importance for survivors who often experience profound emotional distress from trauma. Key tips include actively understanding emotional safety, helping survivors manage overwhelming feelings, providing soothing physical spaces, offering clear information about trauma and program procedures to avoid surprises, and empowering survivors with a sense of comfort and control. The tipsheet also stresses the importance of supporting emotional safety for staff, recognizing that it directly impacts their ability to serve survivors effectively.
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