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Reply to "Trauma-informed Care Competencies Review- CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS"

Taylor:

I think this is great and hopeful, in part, and appreciate that those impacted by trauma are being asked to be reviewers and to provide feedback. However, unless the time, energy, and effort is compensated, it's not equitable and it doesn't actually honor and value lived expertise.

Most who do the work of creating content do so as part of careers or educational pursuits getting credit if not cash. But for many, (though not all) with lived expertise - that's not always available and therefore problematic as it means that people who can't spare the time because of work or parenting, disability, poverty, or healing, (i.e. most impacted) will be least likely to provide input.

I was on a team of international advocates yesterday and one suggested that survivors say no to all work that is either unpaid or where survivor input isn't requested and embedded from the start when shaping a plan. While I've never been as hard line as that, because it's still so rare that our experiences and opinions are even asked for or listened to, and we're still trying to make inroads to being heard/included. However, I do think we need to acknowledge, question, and challenge the unpaid labor routinely being requested for after things are already done feedback.

All that said - I do realize that many initiatives (and this may be one) are entirely volunteer and all participants are doing unpaid labor and work in order to make improvements and social change so I don't mean to single out this effort but just this issue. I hope this is something our entire movement addresses. Some places offer gift or grocery cards if not payment and I think it's important to do something.

Warmly,

Cissy

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