This presentation discusses NSW CAG's work consulting with trauma survivors. It provides an overview of NSW CAG and their training for consulting with trauma survivors. Some key principles discussed include ensuring consumer choice and control, using body language to establish trust and safety, and showing empathy. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of including trauma survivors and adhering to principles that create safe and respectful environments for all.

1. Becoming the change we wish to see
Presenters: Chris Hartley & Tara Dias
NSW Consumer Advisory Group-Mental Health Inc
© NSW CAG 2011

2. Presentation Overview
•This presentation will be provide an overview of
the work of NSW CAG in the area of trauma
•Examine the rights of people who have
experienced trauma to participate in policy and
program responses that directly impact upon them
•Provide an overview of some best practice
principles and techniques adopted by NSW CAG
in conducting consultations with people who have
experienced trauma
© NSW CAG 2011

3. NSW Consumer Advisory Group-Mental Health
Inc.
• NSW Consumer Advisory Group – Mental Health Inc
(NSW CAG) is the peak body representing people
with a lived experience of mental illness
•Started in 1992, only remaining consumer peak
body in Australia
• Undertakes project and policy work, in which we
represent the views of people with mental health
consumers to all levels of government
© NSW CAG 2011

4. NSW CAG- Consultations with Consumers
© NSW CAG 2011

5. Case Study
‘Jane’
© NSW CAG 2011

6. Why consult with trauma survivors?
• Active involvement of people who have
experienced trauma will result in more effective
service and policy responses
•Participation is not a privilege, it is a fundamental
human right
• Most importantly, it can be an empowering
experience for those who participate
© NSW CAG 2011

7. NSW CAG’s training in trauma
•Tailored training designed by trauma specialist
•Core concepts in working with people from
refugee backgrounds (STARTTS)
• Development of specific principles around
trauma survivors
© NSW CAG 2011

8. Consultation principles
Framing the interaction
‘Can we enter into and sustain ethically acceptable relationships
with others, or are we always at risk of exploiting or damaging
either others or ourselves?
Can we simultaneously identify with, and recognise as different
from ourselves, the others on whose experiences we draw?
Should we seek to empathise with those we interview?’
(Liz Bondi, 2003)
© NSW CAG 2011

9. Consultation principles
Consumer choice and control
‘Because trauma survivors often feel unsafe and
may actually be in danger (e.g. victims of
domestic violence), TIC works towards building
the physical and emotional safety for consumers
and providers…Because interpersonal trauma
often involves boundary violations of trauma and
abuse of power, systems that are aware of trauma
dynamics should establish clear roles and
boundaries that are an outgrowth of collaborative
decision-making.’
(Hopper, Bassuk and Olivet, 2010)
© NSW CAG 2011

10. Principles for engaging with trauma survivors
Body language
‘I had to learn how read other bodies and places, I
had to learn how other bodies read mine and I
have worked at re-inscribing the ways in which I
presented myself in response..
I had to learn with my interactions with homeless
people that I too as an unknown stranger was
positioned as a potential physical and emotional
threat..I had to learn to present myself as
someone safe, accepting and non-judgmental
(Catherine Robinson, 2011)
© NSW CAG 2011

11. Body language: case study
‘Anne’
© NSW CAG 2011

12. Principles for engaging with trauma survivors
Empathy
‘Something of the inner reality of one person is
not only communicated to another person, but
is actively incorporated into the inner reality of
that person.’
(Liz Bondi, 2003)
© NSW CAG 2011

13. Conclusion
• NSW CAG acknowledges the importance of
including survivors of trauma in consultation
processes and the rights of individuals to
participate
• Recognise that we won’t always know who is a
trauma survivor and aim to adhere to basic
principles that create safe environments and
are respectful for all participants
© NSW CAG 2011

14. Questions or comments
• For more information about NSW CAG please
see: www.nswcag.org.au
• Contact us on 02 9332 0200
• Email: chartley@nswcag.org.au or
tdias@nswcag.org.au
© NSW CAG 2011