Ms Paula Kearney:

Dr. Lambert has done amazing work researching trauma-informed pieces. In all the services we work with, the majority of us understand that the people we work with have had huge trauma in their lives. However, not all services are equipped to work with that trauma. If we are not trauma-responsive and not considering all aspects of the lives of the people we work with, we can cause further damage because they are stigmatised in society and by the media.

They do not need to be stigmatised when they come to services for help. A trauma response means recognising that even if people have not opened up and told their whole life story, there is a good chance it includes trauma and makes sure we are not making it worse for them by being intrusive, niggling at people and constantly wanting them to go out and share their stories.