Latest news with #traumainformed
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
NWSL investigation finds San Diego Wave ‘could have done more' to address assault allegation
An investigation commissioned by the National Women's Soccer League found that the San Diego Wave front office 'could have done more' to address a sexual assault allegation from a member of the club's staff, but ultimately found no specific issue with how the claim was handled because the alleged victim did not use the term 'sexual' when describing her experience. The finding is contained in a report summarizing the investigation, which had not previously been made public but was obtained by the Guardian US. The investigation, conducted by Connecticut-based law firm Finn, Dixon, and Herling, also looked at how the team's front office handled several other workplace complaints. Its conclusions exemplify some of the bureaucratic and legal obstacles many employees face when attempting to report sexual assault in the workplace. These can include systemic ineffective reporting mechanisms and procedural complexities while individuals can experience retraumatization, minimization, subsequent poor workplace performance, and isolation. Although not stated in the report, the investigation shows how the club lacked an accepted trauma-informed response to investigating or receiving complaints of sexual assault. San Diego Wave made their NWSL debut in 2022 with an all-star cast that included former US women's national team head coach Jill Ellis as president, former England international Casey Stoney as coach, and star forward Alex Morgan on the field. Off the field, however, things were not so stellar. The investigation found that a senior Wave staff member reported to her manager in October 2023 that she had been 'traumatized' by a male co-worker. She also stated at that time she did not want lawyers, San Diego Wave, or NWSL to pursue an investigation into any events that had been responsible for that trauma. During a subsequent meeting with a Wave human resources manager the woman did not identify the co-worker who allegedly assaulted her, did not reveal details of the alleged 'traumatization', and did not explicitly describe sexual assault or sexual misconduct. The woman who made the allegations was subsequently fired by San Diego Wave after her work performance declined and was told by the club to make a worker's compensation claim when more details of the assault became known to the club after her departure. The Guardian understands the NWSL investigation was triggered after reports were received from San Diego Wave employees via an anonymous tip line – a response that is in line with league policy. The NWSL commissioned the investigation to determine whether a report of sexual assault was ignored by Wave management and whether any of the club's potential inaction had broken the NWSL Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying – not to investigate any actual claims themselves. According to the investigation, the Wave did not fail to respond to a report of a sexual assault but 'the Wave could have done more to press the complainant for more information' on the circumstances behind it. It is understood that the investigators suggested to at least one of the women they interviewed to consider pursuing other avenues for their complaints if they were dissatisfied with the investigation's conclusions In October 2024, almost six months after the completion of the investigation, five former San Diego Wave employees filed a lawsuit against both the NWSL and San Diego Wave. Later that month, 'Jane Doe 2' joined the suit with allegations of sexual harassment by the same Wave staffer accused of sexual assault. That ongoing suit contains multiple allegations related to the historic working environment at San Diego Wave in addition to the sexual assault and sexual harassment claims. The plaintiffs include Brittany Alvarado, a former videographer for San Diego Wave, who made headlines in 2024 when she posted on social media that the 'NWSL must take immediate action to remove Jill Ellis from both the San Diego Wave and the league entirely.' Ellis was Wave president at the time and had a hands-on role in managing the club. Ellis has since departed San Diego to take a senior role at Fifa as its chief football officer. Ellis is not a defendant in the lawsuit but is referenced on multiple occasions within the filing. She has separately filed a defamation lawsuit against Alvarado for the social media post made in 2024. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion 'Jane Doe 1' is described in the suit as having held a senior management position with San Diego Wave with extensive experience in the sports industry. The suit alleges that a co-worker invited Jane Doe 1, who had recently moved to San Diego to work for the Wave, for a night out in the city that led to 'inappropriate activities including a game of 'Sexy Jenga' that led to him pressuring her into non-consensual sexual acts'. Jane Doe 1 alleges that later at her apartment, while she was drunk, she was pressured into 'sexual activity that she explicitly stated she did not consent to' that resulted in 'significant injury'. Jane Doe 1 describes a subsequent 'hostile work environment' and criticism from her manager that ultimately led to her termination by Wave in late 2023. After her departure, Jane Doe 1 alleges she asked the club how to report an assault and was told to complete a workers' compensation form. 'Jane Doe 2' alleges she was sexually harassed by the same San Diego Wave employee. She worked part-time with shifts scheduled by the employee who sent her non-work related messages via Snapchat, according to the claim. Jane Doe 2 informed the employee she was not interested in him romantically but the messages became increasingly sexual in nature including an unsolicited image of his penis, according to the lawsuit. Jane Doe 2 claims she was then scheduled for fewer work shifts by the Wave employee to a point where she was not rehired by San Diego Wave because she had not met the minimum shift requirements set by the club. In July 2024, Jane Doe 2 met socially with a Wave employee who told her that her experience was not unique and encouraged her to speak with Wave. The employee accused of assault and harassment has since left the club. San Diego Wave gained new owners in 2024 and while some staff from the period described in the lawsuit have left the organization several remain. Ellis' defamation lawsuit against Alvarado is set to be heard later this year. The NWSL did not respond to specific questions regarding the San Diego Wave investigation but a league spokesperson said in an emailed statement to the Guardian that: 'The safety, health, and well-being of everyone associated with the NWSL is our highest priority. We take serious [sic] any and every report of potential misconduct, hire qualified independent investigators to review those allegations thoroughly, and act when allegations are supported by the facts uncovered. We will not comment specifically about an active legal matter.' That statement has been previously issued to other media organizations that have requested comment on the issue over the past year. Finn, Dixon, and Herling did not respond to a request for comment on the investigation. San Diego Wave did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Analysis shows 257% rise in girls severely absent from school
New analysis has revealed a sharp increase in the number of girls who are severely absent from school over the last six academic years. Data from the Department of Education showed there has been a 257 per cent increase in the number of girls registered as having missed 50 per cent or more school sessions in an academic year since 2017. In the 2017-2018 academic year, 23,936 girls were registered as severely absent in the academic year. By 2023-2024, this had risen to 85,549 girls, representing a 257 per cent increase. Charity Agenda Alliance, which analysed the data, has now called for the Department of Education to launch a specific inquiry into the needs of girls missing from education, either through official or unofficial exclusions. Indy Cross, CEO of Agenda Alliance said: "This rise in girls seriously absent from school is shocking, but unfortunately not surprising to us at Agenda Alliance. 'Girls have been telling us about the unique challenges they face for years, but access to the trauma-informed support they need to feel safe is patchy or non-existent. To make things worse, girls are too often punished for their distress, facing disciplinary action rather than care. 'It's therefore no wonder increasing numbers feel their only choice is to stay away from school. The government needs to act on these unacceptable stats by making sure there is a clear strategy in place, developed in collaboration with girls themselves and the specialist organisations which support them.' Historically, lower numbers of girls have been persistently absent from school compared to boys. However, the data showed this gap in severe absenteeism has narrowed significantly from 21 per cent to the same level as girls, with only 171 more cases in severe absenteeism for boys in 2023-2024. Agenda Alliance said the historic gap in gendered absenteeism has led to limited research into the main reasons girls are absent from school and means support systems have largely been designed for boys, leaving gaps in provisions for the specific needs of girls. It said its previous research has shown gendered impacts of poverty, abuse and trauma are likely to cause issues for girls at school. The charity said: 'These experiences can cause girls to self-exclude, feeling unable or unsafe to be in school and therefore not attending. Girls, especially Black and minoritised girls, also report inappropriate or overly punitive responses to their distress, such as suspensions or exclusion for 'persistent disruptive behaviour'.' A Department for Education spokesperson said: "The government inherited a broken system, with children and families facing poor outcomes and barriers to opportunity. The case for tackling the epidemic of school absence could not be clearer: improved grades, higher wages, better life chances. 'We are already making progress through our Plan for Change with over 3 million more days in school this year, but we know there is more to be done which is why we have expanded our attendance mentors, rolled out free breakfast clubs, improved mental health support and provided additional investment in family support. 'We are also committing to halving violence against women and girls through earlier intervention, including through reforming children's social care and updating our new RSHE guidance which will help young people understand healthy relationships and recognise inappropriate behaviour.'
Medscape
5 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
How Docs Are Redesigning Their Office for Patient Comfort
'When the office environment mimics a home environment, patients feel more comfortable and feel more inclined to open up,' he said, citing a qualitative study that found that patients with mental health conditions in poorly designed inpatient settings often experience a loss of dignity and identity. 'It's important for those of us who work in the mental health specialty to create trauma- and neurodivergent-informed spaces while being mindful of sensory sensitivity and avoiding clutter, strong lighting, or scents.' Physicians who work at imaging centers should also consider improving the patient experience, said Jeb List, MD, a pediatric and adult interventional radiologist at MIC Imaging and Procedure Center in Omaha, Nebraska. 'We've all been in cold, rushed environments where you're handed a paper gown and pointed to a crowded waiting room,' he said. 'That wasn't the experience we wanted for our patients.' Instead, the physicians here asked themselves what they could do to make the clinic more comfortable — and more patient-focused. 'This meant offering easy parking just steps from the door, a warm and welcoming staff, and soft robes instead of paper gowns,' he said. 'We've also created a space that's quiet and calm, where the process is seamless from check-in to check-out. These touches aren't just about aesthetics — they're about respect. When patients feel seen, heard, and cared for, they're more likely to follow through with their care, and they're more at ease throughout the process.' If it's logistically possible, offering patients the option to sit in nature before their appointment is another interesting way to rethink the waiting room experience, said Annemarie Braun, MD, a gynecologist who practices in Germany. 'We encourage patients to wait outside near our rose bushes, where there's always a bench and table,' she said, adding that she always has fresh flowers in her waiting room along with large olive trees that reach the ceiling. 'I believe that creating an environment where patients feel calm, welcome, and gently removed from their everyday stressors is just as important as the therapy itself.' And don't forget how important music can be to calm even the most jittery patient, Okubadejo added. 'We keep music playing in the background at a low volume so it's not distracting but offers just enough to ease the tension,' he said. 'Instrumental or acoustic playlists set a calm tone without adding noise to an already stressful moment.' In the end, making these office modifications doesn't have to be costly and can keep patients coming back for years to come. 'For us, it was never about making the office look fancy,' Okubadejo said. 'It was about eliminating unnecessary discomfort and making sure every patient feels safe, respected, and cared for starting the moment they walk through the door.' Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based journalist who covers health, relationships, trends, and issues of importance to women. She's also a longtime professor at NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Lead image: E+/Getty Images
Globe and Mail
25-06-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Silver Light Psychotherapy Launches in Ontario with Inclusive Mental Health Services
"'Therapy should never be about trying to 'fix' someone - it's about walking beside them as they discover their own capacity to heal.' - Erika Silveira, Founder of Silver Light Psychotherapy" Silver Light Psychotherapy, founded by Erika Silveira, offers inclusive, trauma-informed therapy for individuals, teens, and families. With a compassionate, client-centered approach, the practice provides in-person and virtual sessions across the province, emphasizing accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and emotional healing. A free 15-minute consultation is available for new clients. In an era where the demand for mental health support continues to rise, a new practice rooted in empathy, accessibility, and clinical integrity has opened its doors to Ontarians seeking meaningful emotional healing. Silver Light Psychotherapy, founded by Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) Erika Silveira, is now offering individual, adolescent, and family therapy services both virtually and in-person across the province. Anchored in a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach, Silver Light Psychotherapy seeks to provide a compassionate alternative to traditional mental health care. At the heart of the practice is a deep belief in the resilience of every individual- and the transformative power of being truly heard. 'There's a quiet kind of courage in choosing to seek help,' says Silveira, who brings more than a decade of experience supporting children, teens, and families. 'Silver Light was created to be a soft place to land during hard times - a space where people can feel seen and supported without judgment.' Silveira, who is completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University, has built her practice with intention. Each therapeutic relationship is approached with care, cultural sensitivity, and an unwavering respect for the client's lived experience. She draws from a range of clinically supported modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Attachment-Based approaches, tailoring each session to the unique goals of the individual or family. The practice offers services for a wide array of mental health concerns - anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, parenting challenges, emotional regulation, low self-esteem, and more. Yet it is not simply the scope of services that sets Silver Light apart - it is the ethos. Sessions are designed to feel collaborative, not clinical. Whether working with an overwhelmed parent, a teenager navigating identity, or a family seeking to rebuild trust, Silveira's approach is consistently relational and non-hierarchical. For youth, therapy often incorporates art or play-based techniques - practices that allow young clients to express themselves creatively when words may fall short. 'Especially with adolescents, creating a space where they feel emotionally safe is everything,' Silveira notes. 'Therapy should never be about trying to 'fix' someone - it's about walking beside them as they discover their own capacity to heal.' Silver Light Psychotherapy also emphasizes inclusivity in both philosophy and practice. The space affirms and celebrates racial, cultural, gender, and neurodiverse identities, working to ensure that every client feels respected and reflected in their care. Accessibility, too, is a central value: clients can access therapy through secure virtual sessions or attend in-person appointments, with flexible hours to accommodate working professionals, students, and families. Sliding-scale fees are available on a limited basis. 'Accessibility to quality mental health care should not be a privilege,' Silveira says. 'We want to remove as many barriers as possible - whether they're financial, geographic, or emotional.' As stigma around mental health continues to erode and public awareness grows, the demand for therapists who lead with empathy and humility has never been greater. Silver Light Psychotherapy enters this landscape not as a solution for all, but as a meaningful offering for those seeking warmth and clarity in the face of difficulty. Clients can begin with a complimentary 15-minute consultation, providing a low-pressure opportunity to learn more about the therapeutic process and ensure a good fit. It is, as Silveira describes, the first courageous step toward reclaiming well-being. 'Therapy is not just about addressing what's wrong,' she says. 'It's about reconnecting with what's strong, with what's still whole. That's what we're here to help people do.'
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Therapist reveals the REAL reason you hate your birthday - and it's not because you're getting older
A therapist has revealed the real reason people hate their birthday - and it has nothing to do with getting older. Brooke Camporeale (@brookectherapy), an Australian-born trauma-informed life coach based in the UK, took to TikTok to address the fact that people of all ages often dread their birthday. In a video that's been viewed 153,000 times, Brooke, who offers one-to-one therapy sessions, says that 'immature or narcissistic parents' are the reason that many don't enjoy their special day. Narcissistic parents are usually fixated with being exceptional and unique, craving admiration and praise. In addition, they are usually absent emotionally, which can spark issues for their children later in life. Rather than either worries about the future or regrets about the past, birthdays bring back the times when children were made to feel they 'weren't good enough', according to the Brooke. She says: 'The reason you hate your birthday is because you were raised by emotionally immature or narcissistic parents. 'The reason I correlate this to your birthday is because you were constantly made to feel like you weren't good enough.' Children who were raised by immature or narcissistic parents, Brooke adds, tend to see their birthday not as 'a celebration of all the things' they've achieved and done during the year but rather as something they 'don't deserve to celebrate'. @brookectherapy You deserve to take up space and you definitely deserve to be celebrated! If this is something you relate to, let me help you heal. DM me to book a free 1-1 therapy session ❤️ #healingtiktok #HealingJourney #therapytiktok #traumahealing #innerchildhealing #holistictherapy #therapist #birthday #childhoodtrauma #fyp ♬ original sound - Brooke - Holistic Therapist ✨ The therapist says: 'You couldn't do anything right, you were always in the way. 'And by the time your birthday rolls around, instead of you seeing that as a celebration of all the things that you've achieved and all the things that you've done that year, you see it as something you don't deserve to celebrate because you've constantly been an inconvenience to the people who are meant to love you unconditionally.' Brooke wants people to let go of this view, encouraging them to 'take up space'. In the caption to her video, she writes: 'You deserve to take up space and you definitely deserve to be celebrated!' Brooke's video generated a huge discussion on TikTok, with people using their own experiences to both affirm and refute the therapist's view. One person appeared to agree with her thesis when they wrote: 'I hate birthdays because my mother thought it was a day she deserved to be celebrated.' Writing in a similar vein, another added: 'My mother didn't celebrate Mother's Day. She moved that to my birthday and made it her celebration instead.' While a third said: 'My parents made it their mission to make me cry every single birthday and Christmas without fail. I no longer speak to them.' Brooke's video generated a huge discussion on TikTok, with users both affirming the therapist's view with their own experience and refuting it Yet others were sceptical about Brooke's contention that narcissistic parents - specifically, their failure to make children feel seen and valued - are the reason people dread their birthday. One person wrote: 'Yeah, none of that is true. I just don't like the idea of celebrating another year closer to death'. A second agreed, adding: 'Nah, I was raised by an amazing father. But I don't like ageing and I'm scared of dying.' A third offered a different reason, commenting: 'No, I had great parents. It's because I find opening presents embarrassing and feel like I'm meant to organise something'. Someone else offered a similar view, responding to Brooke's post with the comment: 'Not true. I feel it's a bit like New Year's Eve, you have to have a good time. That sort of expectation always leads to disappointment. Forced fun is not fun'. A fifth shared another personal reason for hating their birthday, writing: 'I never liked birthdays because friends always forget it. Now I never mention it and none of my friends have asked me when my birthday is.'
