Winthrop’s mandatory safety training videos require students to watch content discussing sensitive topics like assault, abuse, and drug/alcohol use. Because of the heavy nature of the videos, they include a trigger warning button that is supposed to let the listener skip the video during a potentially-triggering part.
There is also a section that tells students how the trigger warning button works, explains the language used in the videos, and gives resources for support if a student watching the video becomes upset by the content or needs to talk to someone.
Trigger warnings exist to warn people of specific content that could be upsetting, give someone an anxiety attack, or send someone into a negative mind space. Winthrop’s first video discusses what someone can do if they become triggered, such as talking to a trusted individual. However, the effectiveness of this is arguable, especially considering the increased isolation with the Covid-19 Pandemic.
While Winthrop does make an effort to acknowledge victims and survivors, and makes it essential to talk about these sensitive topics, the timing of the trigger warning button is often flawed and may not prevent someone from experiencing upsetting content. For example, the “Consent and Sexual Assault” section blocks some stories of abuse, but describes various other types of abuse and other red flags in full. While this is essential information for the topic at hand, a victim of abuse can still easily be retraumatized by this oversight.
Because it is a requirement that Winthrop students get this information, Winthrop should take the opportunity to provide more accessible viewing options for survivors of trauma and assault. Solutions could include viewing the information in a text format or giving less explicit details on each section. Thus, people would be less likely to re-experience their trauma and be more prepared for the topics to come. While there is a risk people will skip the entire safety lesson if Winthrop provides alternatives, it is just as simple to play the current videos without paying attention to them.
It is a complicated situation, to say the least. College-aged individuals are some of the most vulnerable and impressionable during their first years on campus, and it is important to provide this education for the general campus community. However, it is still paramount that survivors are also able to view necessary and important information about relationships and safety without the harmful additives of trauma that comes along with it.
Image Courtesy of Mia Rumsey