Many survivors of sexual assault carry the effects of trauma into every aspect of their lives, including their work. This trauma can complicate their experience in professional environments, impacting their confidence, decision-making, relationships, and long-term planning. Read on to discover supportive strategies and resources that can assist survivors at any stage of their career journey.

Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Work

Survivors of trauma often face unique challenges in their professional lives, including reduced self-confidence, difficulties building trust, and heightened sensitivity to workplace dynamics. Recognizing these impacts is the first step toward finding effective support.

Strategies to Support Your Professional Growth

Rebuilding Confidence:
After trauma, envisioning a clear career path can be difficult. Setting small, realistic career goals and acknowledging past achievements can help you gradually rebuild your professional identity and self-esteem. Writing down your goals and accomplishments can help you better understand their impact. Rewriting your resume can be a powerful step toward realizing your potential.

Managing Workplace Relationships:
Navigating workplace relationships can sometimes be tough, especially when trust issues or heightened sensitivities come into play. It’s completely normal to feel this way. To make professional interactions feel less overwhelming, try using strategies like setting clear boundaries, practicing assertiveness, and preparing for those difficult conversations that might arise. Remember, you’re not alone in this; finding a trusted colleague to confide in can also provide support and help ease your transition back to work. You deserve a positive work environment, and taking these steps can be a great start.

Making Mindful Decisions:
Experiencing trauma can significantly impact the way we make decisions, leading us to act impulsively or become overly cautious. It’s completely understandable to feel this way. To support yourself in making choices that align with your long-term goals, consider adopting structured approaches. Creating pro and con lists, seeking advice from trusted mentors, or using decision-making tools can provide clarity and confidence. Remember, it’s perfectly okay to take the time you need to think things through and reassure yourself and others that this process is important for your well-being.

Workplace Advocacy and Rights:
Familiarizing yourself with your workplace rights can empower you to advocate for a range of supportive accommodations. This may include flexible working hours that allow you to balance personal commitments, remote work opportunities that eliminate lengthy commutes, or designated mental health days that promote overall well-being. By making these adjustments, you can help cultivate a healthier and more productive work environment.

Self-Regulation and Stress Management:
Incorporating self-regulation techniques into your daily routine, such as mindfulness practices, deep breathing exercises, and journaling, can play a crucial role in significantly reducing stress levels and enhancing your overall resilience in professional environments. Mindfulness practices, like meditation or body scans, encourage present-moment awareness, helping to alleviate anxiety and improve focus. Deep breathing exercises, such as the 4-7-8 technique, can activate the body’s relaxation response, lowering cortisol levels and promoting a sense of calm during high-pressure situations. Journaling, on the other hand, provides a structured outlet for expressing thoughts and emotions, allowing individuals to process their experiences and reflect on challenges, which can lead to greater clarity and emotional intelligence. By actively engaging in these practices, you can cultivate a more balanced mindset, better navigate workplace demands, and ultimately foster a more positive professional experience.

Setting Realistic Expectations:
It’s okay to feel unprepared to jump into the job market right away. Taking the time to prioritize your mental health, ensuring stable housing, and addressing your immediate needs are vital steps in this journey. Acknowledge where you are in your personal process and give yourself permission to seek support at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Remember, your well-being comes first. Taking care of these foundational elements will ultimately put you in a stronger position to pursue employment when the time is right.

Practical Resources for Survivors

CLEAR Conversations Framework: A helpful guide for approaching difficult or stressful conversations at work using the Calm, Listen, Empathize, Acknowledge, Reflect methods.

American Job Center: Offers resources, workshops, and ongoing support specifically for survivors seeking employment or career advancement.

Employment Laws for DV Survivors: Provides essential information about your rights in the workplace, helping you make informed decisions and advocate for yourself.

Your journey is truly important, and there are compassionate resources available to support you as you reclaim your career and enhance your professional well-being.

MSP’s Approach to Employment and Healing

Special thanks to our Workforce Development Specialist for their support on this topic. MSP’s Workforce Development Program offers crucial support for our housing clients as they seek employment. Our program provides continuous in-house training, development, and comprehensive services designed to enhance the overall employability, career advancement, and well-being of MSP’s clients.

MSP offers a variety of training, education, and development opportunities, which include industry-recognized certifications, pre-employment training, access to apprenticeship programs, training for current workers, and on-the-job workplace training. Additionally, we provide employment retention services such as transportation assistance, childcare support, and mentoring programs. Learn more: Programs and Services.