Trauma-informed practice balances safety with survivor autonomy.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Not relevant

Answer: (B)

Trauma-informed practice centers safety and survivor autonomy as intertwined goals. Safety creates a stable, respectful environment—clear boundaries, predictable responses, confidentiality, and physical/emotional protection. Autonomy means the survivor retains control over decisions about what to disclose, what services to use, who to involve, and when to engage. The strongest approach blends these by inviting choices, obtaining informed consent, and partnering with the survivor to plan safety measures. For example, during an intake you would outline options, ask what information can be shared, and let the survivor set the pace and priorities. Safety and autonomy reinforce each other: when people feel safe, they can exercise choices; when they have real choices, they are more engaged in the safety process. So the statement is true: trauma-informed practice balances safety with survivor autonomy.