What does a trauma-informed community look like? What makes it different from other communities?

“A trauma-informed community takes a trauma informed approach. We understand that there are reasons for behavior. Violence does not happen randomly, but comes from verbal and emotional abuse to bullying, assault, etc. We will look at things differently through this understanding and recognize that, for example, the bully is a bully for a reason and seek to not only understand that behavior but influence and transform it as well as assist with the person who was bullied. It’s looking at the whole picture, not just a tiny piece of it. In the long term, reducing violence will create a healthier and more thriving Tarpon Springs as the many costs of trauma decrease. It’s a very long term initiative and will take many years, even several generations to realize the long term benefits.”

Learn more about trauma-informed communities in this interview with Robin Saenger, former deputy mayor of Tarpon Springs, FL and founder of Peace4Tarpon.