Someone that has gone through trauma has experienced an event that is extremely physically or emotionally overwhelming. A lot of people find “traumatic” to be opinion-based, but some events are so stressful that most people would find them traumatic. In the past, many people believed that only physical harm or danger caused trauma. We now know that emotionally stressful events can also cause trauma, particularly in the absence of support or a parental/caregiver figure.

Trauma can include anywhere from:

• Natural disasters

• War and conflict

• Being a victim of a crime (ex. being raped, assaulted, held up, or car-jacked);

• Being involved in, or witnessing, a serious accident or exposed to death, injury or violence;

• Complicated or violent childbirth; enduring painful or degrading medical procedures)

• Interpersonal violence or abuse

• and Serious lack of care, emotional connection, or neglect, particularly when a baby or young child, including prolonged separation from caregivers.

Complex Trauma is a particular type of trauma that goes beyond a one-time incident. It is trauma that is ongoing; is difficult or impossible to escape from; occurs within a personal relationship; begins in childhood, affects a child’s development; and is covered up, kept secret, or denied. In cases of Complex Trauma people are often harmed by someone in a position of power over them. Survivors usually feel that they have been unable to escape. This leads to chronic feelings of helplessness.

Common causes of Complex Trauma are child abuse and domestic violence. However, Complex Trauma is also seen among people who have survived imprisonment, torture, or sex trafficking. Being a refugee or being exposed to long-term conflict can also cause Complex Trauma.