This training addresses the critical, and often overlooked, role of nonvisible disabilities—such as Post-Traumatic Stress/ Disorder (PTS/D), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and cognitive processing challenges—in shaping how military-connected survivors engage with the civil legal system. Participants will gain tools to recognize how these disabilities may influence survivor presentation, perceived credibility, and overall participation in civil protection, custody, and guardianship proceedings. The session will also offer guidance on distinguishing trauma-related responses from behaviors that may be misinterpreted as disengagement or deception. Special focus will be given to how these dynamics arise in child custody matters and emergency protective order hearings.

Learning Objectives

- Identify common nonvisible disabilities among military-connected survivors and understand how these can impact survivor demeanor and participation in civil cases.

- Apply trauma-informed principles to avoid misinterpreting disability-related behaviors as lack of credibility, disengagement, or noncompliance.

- Evaluate how nonvisible disabilities may affect proceedings in protection orders, custody disputes, and emergency protective hearings.

- Implement courtroom strategies to ensure equitable access and meaningful participation for survivors with cognitive, psychological, or processing challenges.

- Promote cross-system collaboration to ensure that military and civilian partners recognize and accommodate disability-related dynamics in DVSAS cases.