Webinar: Working with women who have experienced complex trauma in mental health & refugee services

Complex trauma is best understood as multiple, repeated forms of interpersonal victimisation resulting in traumatic health problems and psychosocial challenges. Typically, women with complex trauma have experienced child abuse and/or neglect, and subsequent physical and sexual revictimisation in adulthood. This commonly occurs within a context of domestic and family violence. Practitioners across all health and social sectors, including mental health and refugees services, frequently come into contact with women who have experienced complex trauma. However, the term ‘complex trauma’ neither consistently nor well defined in policy or practice.

Drawing on findings from ANROWS research ‘Constructions of complex trauma and implications for women’s wellbeing and safety from violence’, this panel of researchers, practitioners and survivors with lived experience discuss:

- survivor’s understandings of complex trauma and the way this differs across different professionals
- how these different understandings impact practice and women’s experiences of services
- the gendered nature of service responses to complex trauma
- what changes can be made to improve access to services for women who have experienced complex trauma.

Presenters:
- Associate Professor Michael Salter, University of NSW
- Amy Burkett, QLD Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma
- Scarlett Franks, The University of Sydney
- Dr Karen Willaims, South Coast Private Hospital
Facilitated by: Michele Robison, ANROWS

This webinar is designed for:
- practitioners working in mental health, refugee, sexual assault, domestic and family violence and other health services
- practitioners working with women who have experienced complex trauma
policymakers working in social and health sectors