How a trauma-informed approach to domestic violence stories puts survivors first

Before she publishes a story on domestic violence, journalist Sammy Caiola calls sources to review the information she plans on including. Sometimes, survivors ask her to remove facts, since their inclusion could present a future safety risk. 

When that happens, “I take a pen, and I cross it out,” said Caiola, a special projects reporter at the Kensington Voice, while speaking at the Center for Health Journalism’s 2025 Domestic Violence Symposium. 

At other times, reading back sections of a draft has yielded even more vivid details of a survivor’s experience. In one follow-up conversation, “a rough couple of days” following a violent incident transformed into a description of a domestic violence survivor who spent three days on her apartment floor. She could barely get up to use the bathroom, and her child had to make his own breakfast every day. 

Caiola’s experiences underscore the value in approaching domestic violence stories and sources with particular care and sensitivity, whether that means sharing an excerpt of a story before publication or thinking intentionally about how to create a safe interview setting, according to speakers at the online event. Caiola joined Otis R. Taylor Jr., the managing editor of news and enterprise for KQED, and Angela Kim, a violence prevention consultant, to share tips for reporting on domestic violence in ways that respect a survivor’s wellbeing and safety.

“You are engaging in a kind of power dynamic,” Caiola said. “They have probably already been harmed by someone they know, they’ve maybe been harmed by a system. And they may be fearful that they’re going to be harmed by journalists.”

Treat survivors with respect and care 

As a survivor of intimate partner violence herself, Kim urged journalists to approach interviewees with a trauma-informed perspective.

“We're not just sources, we are human beings, whose lives have been deeply impacted by trauma, by stigma, by complex healing journeys,” said Kim, a program manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development. “ … We want journalists to treat us with the deep respect and care that they would offer anyone in their own personal lives who has lived through trauma.” 

The heavy emotions survivors carry, such as shame, guilt, and embarrassment, can emerge during these conversations, making it tough to speak openly about painful and vulnerable moments. The interview itself can reopen wounds that took years to heal, she said. 

In addition, sharing one’s story publicly can be triggering since not all audiences respond with empathy. A survivor may be weighing their own willingness to share personal details with the possible fallout in their social circles. 

“Some may gossip, some may take sides,” Kim said. “I've even had experiences where people I am very close to have tried to silence my story to protect the image of my family, or my community, or my church.”

Survivors are also grappling with the consequences of knowing their story may end up living online indefinitely, a permanence that can be terrifying for survivors. They may fear for their own safety if an abuser sees the story, a fact that highlights the need for reporters to keep privacy and safety at the forefront, she said.

Be open about the journalistic process

When a journalist interviews a survivor, the power dynamics can echo the interplay of control and vulnerability that was part of the trauma itself, Kim said. One way to give survivors a sense of control is to discuss the implications of sharing a story. This dialogue can not only help survivors make an informed choice, but also help them understand how much of their story they want to disclose. 

Having clear communication and transparency about the process can go a long way, speakers said. One important nuance Caiola conveys: While sources will have some control over their story and personal details, they won’t be able to shape the entire story. 

“It’s a hard conversation to have, but I have found that people get it,” she said. 

Before beginning the interview, take the time to explain what terms like “on the record” or “on background” mean in plain language. Similarly, be direct about what happens if a source says something they later want to withdraw. Will they have a chance to review quotes and content before publication? 

Once the interview begins, a reporter’s tone and language can influence a survivor’s feeling of comfort and safety. For example, repeating information back to a source can signal close listening. Avoiding rushed or overly invasive questions can create a safe space for sharing. Phrases like “we’re working together to shed light on this issue” send a message of participation instead of exploitation,” Kim said.

Fact-checking conversations key 

Before an article goes live, a fact-checking conversation over the phone or in-person can help sources prepare for publication. Once Caiola has a draft ready to show an editor, she typically calls sources and goes over information and quotes. When a story has been edited, but is still unpublished, she’ll check in again. At this point, people might ask not to use a full name, or to use initials. Even if they said something “on the record,” it’s important to take into account their distinct circumstances as a survivor. 

“When you are interviewing a domestic violence survivor, especially if you're interviewing them freshly after something has happened, they might be in a state of crisis during the interview,” she said. “ … (J)ust because they agree to talk to you, it doesn't always mean that they are completely ready to go on the record with all that stuff.”

Taylor is also supportive of reading back parts of a story that relate to a source’s interview, he said, a practice that also gives the reporter the opportunity to adjust any errors and avoid a later correction. 

Take care of yourself 

Covering the trauma of domestic violence can take a toll on reporters’ mental health, too.

Since Caiola works on podcasts, she often listens to a recording over and over to find the best sound bite. At times, she has found herself feeling angry or even fearful for her own safety as she walked down the street, she said. A break from that intensity can be a healthy choice. At one point, Caiola asked her editor to work on “happy stories,” for a brief period, a respite which gave her a much-needed recharge. 

For Taylor, the journalism itself is a form of self-care since it provides a way to connect with colleagues and the community. He repeatedly stressed the importance of slowing down and finding time to give these crucial stories the space they deserve.

“If you do it right, I think the benefit to community and audience is that you can tell a nuanced story, about a seemingly intractable problem,” he said. “That [care] is warranted especially if we want to see some change in our communities.”

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Go further with trauma-informed reporting skills 

For more information, check out the Journalist Playbook, a reporting guide developed collaboratively by reporters, advocates, and survivors and supported by Blue Shield of California Foundation.

In the symposium, Caiola described a four-part approach she uses in domestic violence coverage, adapted from DART Center resources.

• Safety: The interview location itself may present a safety concern for survivors. Typical interview spots such as a home or community café might feel unsafe or uncomfortable if a perpetrator lives there or nearby. Survivors might feel safer having a trusted family member or friend join the interview.  They might also prefer seats that face the door, rather than have their back to it.
• Control: While the source is not in control of the full editorial content, they can have control on what’s specifically about them and their story. People may say things in times of crisis that they later feel uncomfortable sharing.
• Reflect back: This method of trauma-informed interviewing involves repeating back some of what you’re hearing. You might ask questions such as, “Am I getting that right?” This is especially important for someone who is experiencing trauma since it conveys that you’re fully listening to their experience.
• Closure: Keep a source updated on your reporting timeline and anticipated publication date. Ask them if they have a plan for the day of publication, such as spending the day with a supportive person, or lining up a therapy session.