ICDVP Trauma-Informed Care 3

Question 1

What is 'secondary traumatic stress' (STS) and why is it relevant to domestic violence advocates?

Accepted Answer

Trauma symptoms experienced by helpers who are indirectly exposed to others' traumatic material

Answer

Stress caused by secondary sources of income for survivors

Answer

The second phase of trauma that survivors enter after leaving an abuser

Answer

Stress experienced by advocates when their caseload exceeds recommended levels

Question 2

How does trauma bonding explain why some survivors remain in or return to abusive relationships?

Accepted Answer

Cycles of abuse and intermittent reinforcement create strong psychological attachment to the abuser

Answer

Survivors enjoy the intensity of the relationship's emotional highs and lows

Answer

Survivors lack the intelligence to recognize danger signs

Answer

Trauma bonding only occurs in relationships involving substance abuse

Question 3

Which of the following best reflects a trauma-informed response when a survivor expresses ambivalence about leaving their abuser?

Accepted Answer

Validate the complexity of their feelings and support their autonomy in decision-making

Answer

Remind the survivor of the dangers they face to motivate them to leave immediately

Answer

Contact child protective services since ambivalence indicates the survivor cannot protect their children

Answer

Discharge the survivor from services until they are ready to make safer choices

Question 4

In a trauma-informed organization, which of the following structural changes is MOST important for preventing re-traumatization of survivors?

Accepted Answer

Designing physical spaces to promote safety, privacy, and calm, and training all staff in trauma awareness

Answer

Requiring survivors to attend weekly mandatory group therapy sessions

Answer

Establishing strict behavioral rules survivors must follow to receive services

Answer

Limiting services to survivors who are ready to leave their abusive partners

Question 5

Attachment theory contributes to trauma-informed care in domestic violence settings by helping advocates understand that:

Accepted Answer

Early attachment experiences shape how survivors respond to relationships, help-seeking, and trust

Answer

Survivors with insecure attachment are unlikely to form healthy relationships in the future

Answer

Survivors must resolve all childhood attachment issues before leaving abusive relationships

Answer

Attachment patterns are fixed after childhood and cannot be changed through advocacy

Question 6

Which of the following grounding techniques is MOST appropriate for a domestic violence advocate to use with a survivor experiencing acute hyperarousal during a session?

Accepted Answer

Guide the survivor in slow, diaphragmatic breathing and sensory awareness of their immediate environment

Answer

Ask the survivor to recount the details of the most recent violent incident

Answer

Recommend the survivor take a short break and return when they feel better

Answer

Administer an anxiety assessment tool to document the severity of symptoms

Question 7

The principle of 'empowerment' in trauma-informed domestic violence services means that advocates should:

Accepted Answer

Build on survivors' strengths and support their ability to define their own healing and safety

Answer

Make decisions for survivors to protect them from further harm

Answer

Empower survivors by connecting them only with professional clinical services

Answer

Ensure survivors follow the advocate's recommended safety plan without modification