Trauma-informed Healthcare
#CheckWithMeFirst
We have a favour to ask!
If you’ve done our #CheckWithMeFirst training, please spare a few minutes and help us better understand how to apply and integrate complex interventions in health care. We’d HUGELY appreciate your help.
You can help victims/survivors of sexual violence and abuse feel empowered during healthcare appointments. Our training equips patient-facing healthcare professionals with practical tools to transform patient experiences and improve health outcomes.
We cannot undo was has been done to them, but we can listen and make a difference to their experience here and now.
Small changes, big impact
Many survivors miss important appointments because medical procedures can feel overwhelming and trigger trauma. With simple adjustments, you can improve patient-wellbeing and support staff resilience at the same time.
Watch our short animation to understand the challenges survivors face and discover the key principles of our trauma-informed #CheckWithMeFirst approach.
Produced in collaboration with our London Survivors Forum members.
The core message is simple: small, thoughtful adjustments can make a big difference. Explain each step, check for anxiety triggers, and give your patients control to help them feel safe and respected.
Over 500 frontline NHS staff have taken part so far, with 98% saying it has improved their clinical practice, which will have a hugely positive effect on the up to 1 in 4 patients who have experienced sexual violence and abuse.
We can deliver #CheckWithMeFirst both online or in-person, depending on your department’s needs.
You’ll learn about:
- Trauma-informed practice and care
- How to handle disclosures
- Self-care techniques and how to avoid vicarious trauma
- how to refer survivors to specialist support
📥Download our leaflet for more information or to share with your department.
📧You can contact us at nhs.checkwithmefirst@thesurvivorstrust.org to enquire about our training for your department.
➡️We have trauma-informed healthcare resources designed for survivors to feel safer during appointments.
Why #CheckWithMeFirst?
Survivors tell us that one thing that really helps them get through their medical appointments is for healthcare professionals to let them know what they need to do and why and to ask for them for consent at every step. Secondly, survivors want the focus to stay on the reason for their visit, not on past trauma.
Guided by our ethos of survivor empowerment and commitment to trauma-informed care, we launched #CheckWithMeFirst.
Sexual violence is widespread and its impact on health is profound.
- Prevalence: The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) year ending (YE) March 2024 estimated that 13.6 million people aged 18 years and over (29.0%) had experienced “any abuse” before the age of 18 years.1
- Health risks: Many survivors experience mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, sleep problems, and dissociation. Long-term diagnoses often include PTSD and personality disorders. Physical health can also be affected in childhood and adulthood, including general health, gastrointestinal and reproductive issues, chronic pain and cardiopulmonary problems—often linked to the mental health impacts of abuse.2
- Barriers to care: Medical appointments can trigger trauma and lead survivors to avoid important appointments.
Training Gap: Many healthcare professionals receive little-to-no training on sexual trauma.
Look After Yourself
If you need support, our helpline offers free, confidential emotional support and advice for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse: 0808 801 0818