Bearing the Bad News with Trauma-Informed Communication

When you’re the bearer of bad news, words matter. Communicators walk a tightrope when sharing information about tragic or sensitive cases. What factors should a public safety agency consider when releasing details about violent crime? How can language convey facts clearly without causing unnecessary harm? And how do we balance public release laws, victim rights, and ethical concerns around graphic content? 

This webinar offers a framework for trauma-informed communication, providing practical guidance for those who deliver difficult messages under pressure. Public information officers, victim advocates, and anyone in public-facing or customer service roles will leave better equipped to communicate with clarity, empathy, and professionalism.