Lori Griffin is a San Antonio, Texas, LCSW-S. Ms. Griffin supervises licensed social workers and provides field supervision for Our Lady of the Lake University. Teen pregnancy caused Ms. Griffin to drop out of school at 16 and graduate with a general education diploma. She became a first-generation, non-traditional college student in Temple, Texas, at 22 with two children. Ms. Griffin had two more children and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Texas State University in 2007. As a busy mom of four, she maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned her master’s from Texas State University in 2008. Over the past 20 years, Ms. Griffin has advocated for and treated sexual assault survivors as well as other trauma survivors. She worked with combat veterans at the Veterans Administration, where she launched a female veteran program. Her work goes beyond individuals as she is passionate about community service and generational trauma reduction. Ms. Griffin launched her private practice in 2018. Ms. Griffin is passionate about local politics and advocating for marginalized communities. While completing her Doctorate at the University of Kentucky Ms. Griffin has researched the lack of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) in medicine and the lack of integration with sexual assault survivors and life-saving Pap smears. Ms. Griffin has invited women of diverse backgrounds and expertise to speak at her 2024 TEDx WOMEN in San Antonio, Texas, about sexual assault and life-saving preventive gynecological care. Ms. Griffin believes women will educate the world if a platform is provided.
Lori Griffin
LCSW-S, DSW Candidate
Sexual Assault: Women are Surviving Sexual Assault Only to Die from Preventative Gynecological Medical Care
- April 22, 2024
- 9:30 AM -
- 10:30 AM
Abstract
Lifesaving preventative medical procedures like Pap screenings might maintain power imbalances between patient and practitioner. The patient may feel helpless because the physician is the subject matter expert during the exam. A perceived power difference in examinations can weaken the patient and unintentionally re-enact trauma, strengthening their sense of helplessness. Trauma Informed Care (TIC) can be used to better understand and treat trauma in women’s health care. Sexual abuse is traumatic and can affect health and well-being for life. TIC’s goal is to make patients feel supported, understood, and safe. Trauma violence is common, and TIC-informed medical providers are aware of how it may affect patients. TIC-integrated services can help patients trust medical practitioners more. Medical Providers can use the TIC model help create a safe and empowering patient environment, thus saving lives.