For Family Lawyers | Beyond Crisis™ Professional Resource Series Trauma-Informed Tip #5
- Aug 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 6
What could I understand when my client feels responsible for what happened?
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A female client who has experienced sexual trauma may express feelings of guilt, shame, or responsibility for what occurred.
This may leave Family Lawyers wondering why a survivor is taking responsibility for another person’s actions.
Survivors may experience self-blame for many reasons, including trauma responses, messages they have received about relationships, fear of judgment, attempts to make sense of what happened, or efforts to regain a sense of control after an experience where their boundaries were violated.
A trauma-informed approach means recognizing that self-blame can be a complex response to sexual trauma.
It does not mean accepting a survivor’s self-blame as an accurate reflection of responsibility.
It means approaching conversations with compassion and understanding that survivors may carry beliefs about themselves that developed as a way of coping with their experiences.
Supporting your client through the legal process and providing space for specialized sexual trauma counselling are different roles—but they can work together.
When appropriate, collaboration with a trauma-informed counselling provider specializing in sexual abuse and sexual assault may offer additional support for female survivors as they navigate the mental health impacts of sexual trauma.
About the Author
Nada Johnson, BA, MSW, RSW, is the founder and Clinical Director of Beyond Crisis™, a specialized counselling service providing trauma-informed online counselling for teen girls (14+) and women across Ontario, Canada who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault.
Professional Collaboration
Beyond Crisis™ welcomes collaboration with Family Lawyers and other professionals supporting female survivors of sexual trauma.
If your client may benefit from specialized sexual trauma counselling, we welcome referrals and opportunities to collaborate in supporting her healing journey.
To discuss referrals or connect with our team, please contact us at info@nadajohnsonservices.com
Disclaimer:
This article is for educational and professional development purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical supervision, legal advice, medical advice, or professional judgment. Providers should apply their own expertise, ethical standards, and applicable policies when supporting survivors.
