Addressing Sexual and Relationship Violence: A Trauma-Informed Approach

This toolkit presents a public health model of trauma-informed care to better address the impact of sexual violence on campuses.

Campus sexual and relationship violence are serious public health issues adversely affecting college and university students—students cannot learn in an atmosphere in which they do not feel safe. This toolkit describes and recommends a public health model of trauma-informed care to better address the impact sexual violence has on campus communities. 

This comprehensive publication can be used when developing prevention programming as well as when responding to incidents of sexual violence on campus. ACHA recommends that campuses adopt trauma-informed approaches in order to provide a more sensitive response and lower the risk of re-victimization. Additionally, services, resources, and training should be congruent with best practices as they evolve.

This toolkit was developed using best practices, current research, and resources from key organizations, including:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) 

Note: The toolkit has recently been updated with more inclusive language. Additional updates to further address inclusivity as well as changes in Title IX are expected in coming months.