Across the globe at this time, trauma is abundant. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical strife, there are compounding challenges faced by marginalized populations. This virtual conference places much-needed focus on the needs of traumatized people who have been wounded in part because of their skin color, their country of origin, their disabilities, their income, their sexual orientation or simply their very way of being. 

In the United States, 45% of children have been exposed to at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), with one in ten children exposed to more than three adverse childhood experiences. A large representative survey of American adults found that 89.7% reported exposure to a traumatic event, with multiple trauma exposure the norm. For individuals who are part of marginalized communities, these numbers are even higher. 

As movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have developed, the impact of societal trauma on marginalized communities has come to the forefront. In mental health, the compounded traumatic experiences these populations face need to be addressed, both among clinicians and in the treatment room. 

This package of conference recordings includes exciting presentations regarding theory, research and treatment of trauma and dissociation as it relates to people of color, sexual orientation and gender identity, disabilities, prison populations, and more. This event focused on the experiences of those who face discrimination and are commonly underserved, and how we can address the needs of these populations.