Science, Support, and Sexual Trauma

The conversation surrounding trauma and support is full of phrases such as, “fight or flight,” “trigger warnings,” and “safe spaces.” But what about “amygdala,” “norepinephrine,” and “evolution?” What... [ view full abstract ]

The conversation surrounding trauma and support is full of phrases such as, “fight or flight,” “trigger warnings,” and “safe spaces.” But what about “amygdala,” “norepinephrine,” and “evolution?” What about the science behind trauma and empathy? In this presentation, we condense the literature on the neurobiology of trauma and evolutionary advantages of empathy, framing our research around supporting survivors of sexual violence. Specific topics will include the brain structures, hormones, and neurotransmitters involved in trauma and memory encoding, as well as how evolution drives many empathic behaviors. Our aim is to use science to justify the diverse reactions to and ways of healing after trauma, as well as to empower individuals to support survivors. This oral presentation will serve as an introduction to an interactive workshop that the presenters will host later in the semester.