Have you heard of Sanctuary Trauma?

 

Have You Heard of Sanctuary Trauma?

When we think about trauma, many of us immediately think of the visible scars: war, abuse, accidents, or natural disasters. We may envision broken bodies, shattered lives, and physical wounds that demand attention. However, there’s a form of trauma that often goes unnoticed, a trauma that occurs in spaces where healing, safety, and comfort should be the primary focus.

This type of trauma is called Sanctuary Trauma, and it happens in places where individuals expect to find safety, care, or sanctuary, yet instead experience harm, neglect, or betrayal. It’s a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention but is incredibly important to discuss, especially for those in caregiving, healthcare, and support roles.

As a nurse, veteran spouse, and trauma-informed coach, I’ve witnessed the subtle and not-so-subtle effects of sanctuary trauma in both my personal life and the lives of others. Whether it’s in healthcare settings, educational institutions, places of worship, or even within our homes, sanctuary trauma can have deep and lasting effects on individuals. Let's take a closer look at what sanctuary trauma is, how it shows up, and how we can begin to heal from it.

What Is Sanctuary Trauma?

Sanctuary trauma occurs when people experience harm in a place where they should feel safe, where the expectation is that their well-being will be prioritised. Instead of receiving care, support, and healing, individuals are met with disregard, insensitivity, or even mistreatment. These spaces, ideally meant to be sanctuaries, become environments of additional suffering.

This form of trauma is particularly insidious because it undermines the very foundation of trust. For many, a sanctuary is supposed to offer solace, healing, and refuge. When that sanctuary turns out to be a place of emotional or psychological harm, the impact is profound and often long-lasting.

Where Does Sanctuary Trauma Happen?

Sanctuary trauma can potentially occur in many places, including:

• Healthcare Settings: Hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices where individuals expect to receive care, not neglect or mistreatment.
• Therapeutic and Supportive Spaces: Counselling centres, rehab facilities, or other spaces where individuals seek help only to encounter insensitivity or poor treatment.
• Educational Institutions: Schools or universities where students expect support and guidance but may instead face bullying, neglect, or discriminatory practices.
• Religious or Spiritual Spaces: Churches, mosques, synagogues, or other places of worship where individuals expect unconditional love and acceptance but may face judgment, exclusion, or abuse.
• At Home: Within families or close relationships, where emotional or physical abuse occurs in what should be a safe and supportive environment.

As a nurse, I’ve seen sanctuary trauma unfold in healthcare settings. The very places where the people we care for expect to feel safe and supported can sometimes become environments where they are disregarded, belittled, or treated with indifference. The sense of betrayal that accompanies sanctuary trauma in these spaces can be overwhelming, especially when people are already vulnerable and in need of compassionate care.

How Sanctuary Trauma Manifests

The experience of sanctuary trauma can vary, but common signs include:

1. Betrayal of Trust: People in these spaces may feel let down by those they trusted to protect and support them. The betrayal of their expectations can cause lasting emotional pain.
2. Emotional Numbness or Disconnection: Individuals who have experienced sanctuary trauma may withdraw emotionally or disconnect from the very people or environments that should be sources of healing.
3. Increased Anxiety and Fear: Those who experience sanctuary trauma may develop heightened anxiety, fear, or vigilance. The places where they once felt safe may now trigger stress responses, making it difficult to trust anyone or anything again.
4. Depression and Shame: Sanctuary trauma can lead to feelings of hopelessness and self-blame, particularly if individuals internalise the mistreatment they experienced. This can also lead to a sense of shame for seeking support in the first place.
5. Avoidance of Supportive Environments: If someone has experienced sanctuary trauma in a certain place, they may avoid similar spaces in the future, even if they’re in dire need of help. For instance, a person who was mistreated in a healthcare setting may delay seeking medical care in the future out of fear of being hurt again.

How Sanctuary Trauma Impacts Healing

What makes sanctuary trauma especially dangerous is that it often directly interferes with the healing process. Trauma survivors who are seeking help in these spaces are often in a state of heightened vulnerability. They may already be emotionally raw from previous experiences, and encountering further harm can deepen their wounds.

As a veteran spouse and someone deeply connected to trauma-informed care, I understand how important it is to create safe, compassionate spaces for those in need. For someone who has already suffered significant trauma, a harmful encounter in a sanctuary space can be a devastating setback. Healing requires trust, and sanctuary trauma erodes that trust, sometimes making it even more difficult to recover.

Breaking the Cycle of Sanctuary Trauma

The good news is that sanctuary trauma can be healed. While the process may be long and challenging, there are ways to reclaim safety, trust, and healing.

Here are a few steps to begin the healing process:

1. Recognise and Acknowledge the Harm: The first step in healing from sanctuary trauma is acknowledging that the harm occurred. It’s important for both the individuals affected and the spaces where this trauma occurs to recognise the deep impact sanctuary trauma can have.
2. Create Trauma-Informed Spaces: For facilities and organisations, creating trauma-informed spaces is crucial. This involves fostering an environment where people’s emotional and psychological safety is prioritised. It requires active listening, compassion, and sensitivity to the needs of trauma survivors.
3. Self-Compassion and Healing: For those who have experienced sanctuary trauma, it’s important to practice self-compassion and be gentle with yourself as you heal. You might need time to rebuild trust and to seek out spaces where you feel safe again.
4. Supportive Community: Healing from sanctuary trauma often involves seeking support from others who understand your experience. Whether it’s a support group, a therapist, or trusted friends and family, finding people who validate your pain can help you reclaim trust in others.
5. Advocacy and Change: For caregivers, healthcare providers, and others in supportive roles, it’s essential to advocate for the creation of spaces that prioritise emotional safety and well-being. This can involve education, policy changes, and a commitment to upholding trauma-informed practices.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Safe Spaces

Sanctuary trauma is a complex and often invisible form of trauma that can have far-reaching effects on individuals. Whether it happens in healthcare settings, at home, or in places of worship, it can undermine the very spaces where healing and support are needed the most.

But healing is possible. By creating trauma-informed spaces, practicing self-compassion, and advocating for change, we can begin to rebuild the trust that sanctuary trauma destroys. And for those who have experienced it, know that you’re not alone. There is hope, and your healing journey can begin right here, in spaces that truly hold your safety, dignity, and well-being.

Remember, the trauma you’ve experienced doesn’t define you, and you deserve to heal in a space where you can truly feel safe. Let’s work together to create those spaces, for ourselves and for others.

 

With love, Caron 💜