Source
Global Center for Journalism & Trauma
About
The Global Center for Journalism & Trauma (GCJT) carries forward the work of the former Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, a long-running resource center for journalists covering violence, conflict, and tragedy. (The Dart Center, latterly a project of Columbia Journalism School, was sunset in 2025; GCJT, an independent nonprofit, adopted its mission.) Its GCJT Style Guide for Trauma-Informed Journalism: originally compiled in 2020–2021 as the Dart Center Style Guide: is “a living document,” organized thematically with guidance on covering trauma, sexual and gender-based violence, identity, and community and social issues.
In the commons it is a source for trauma- and violence-related framing terms, including the survivor/victim distinction.
Data note: this page’s organization name (previously “Global Consortium for Journalism & Trauma”) and work title (previously “Gender-Capable Journalism Toolkit”) were corrected to match the guide’s own masthead and title page: “Global Center for Journalism & Trauma” and “GCJT Style Guide for Trauma-Informed Journalism.”
Access
Host posture is private-mirror-link-out: the guide is published openly (originally on dartcenter.org, now also at gcjt.org) and was live at the last check. The commons keeps a private preservation copy for citation verification and links out to the authoritative version. Quotes are held within fair-use limits.
Works reviewed
GCJT Style Guide for Trauma-Informed Journalism
Available onlineTerms citing this source
- AddictAvoid
“Terms such as "addict" or "drug abuser" should generally not be used as nouns. Avoid identifying individuals with their disease. "She had a heroin addiction" is preferable to "she was a heroin addict."”
: "Disease" entry, drug-language guidance
- AddictionUse
“Terms such as "addict" or "drug abuser" should generally not be used as nouns. Avoid identifying individuals with their disease. "She had a heroin addiction" is preferable to "she was a heroin addict."”
: Substance-use guidance entry
- AgeismUse
“Ageism: This term was coined in 1969 by Robert N. Butler … and defined it as "[a] process of systematic stereotyping or discrimination against people because they are old, just as racism and sexism accomplish with skin color and gender."”
: "Ageism" entry
- AgingUse with care
“Coverage of aging should always be centered on the fact that aging is a natural process and begins at conception. Consider the difference between chronological age and biological age as well as the heterogeneity of human aging which unfolds at different rates in different contexts.”
: Age and aging section
- AutismUse
“Autism spectrum disorder is a group of complex neurological conditions related to brain development. … ask people how they would like to be described. Some might want to be described as autistic, while others might rather be described as a person with autism, or neuroatypical.”
: Autism, Autistic entry
- CisgenderUse
“When writing about a trans person, don't describe them as 'identifying' with a specific gender. Just say 'is' instead, as you would with a cisgender person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.”
: Transgender, Trans entry
- ConvictUse with care
““Are they prisoners, inmates, convicts, or incarcerated people? … I purposely avoided 'convict.' That term is right out of Humphrey Bogart movies and carries a lot of baggage. Similarly, ex-convict or ex-con…””
: “Prisons and Incarcerated People” entry, quoting Bill Drummond
- DeadnameUse with care
“A deadname is a name that a trans person no longer uses. Don't publish deadnames in a story unless specifically relevant, and don't ask for this information unless it's necessary for background checks.”
: Glossary entry, "Deadname"
- DeafUse with care
“People-first language will help avoid defining a person by their disability … Be mindful, however, that some people with disabilities, such as members of the Deaf community, prefer identity-first language. If possible, check with a source what is preferred.”
: "Disabled, Disability" entry
- DepressionUse with care
“To be diagnosed with depression (now officially termed Major Depressive Disorder) specific symptoms must have been present for at least two weeks.”
: Depression entry
- DisabledUse with care
“Eschew outmoded terms that perpetuate negative stereotypes or evoke pity. … Instead, give precise references to specific conditions. People-first language will help avoid defining a person by their disability … Be mindful, however, that some people with disabilities, such as members of the Deaf community, prefer identity-first language.”
: Disabled, Disability entry
- ElderlyAvoid
“Avoid the use of "seniors" and "elderly" to describe individuals or groups. Use medical terminology to describe common age-related medical conditions … only when supported by a diagnosis.”
: Age and aging section
- EthnicityUse with care
“Include references to an individual's race or ethnicity only when it's relevant to the story. … When someone's race or ethnicity is relevant, avoid broad terms such as "minority". Instead, ask your source how they would prefer to be identified…”
: Race and Ethnicity section
“Only refer to an individual's gender if it's pertinent to a story. Seek permission from sources when publishing details about gender if doing so could result in repercussions for that person.”
: Gender Identity entry
- GhettoAvoid
“In general, do not use "ghetto", or related adjectives such as "notorious", "urban" and "gritty," to describe a geographic area. These cliches are often euphemisms for race. Avoid perpetuating negative stereotypes by describing a neighborhood or other area with precision. …”
: "Ghetto" entry
- HandicappedAvoid
“Disabled, Disability: Eschew outmoded terms that perpetuate negative stereotypes or evoke pity. … avoid terms like "handicapped" or "the disabled." Instead, give precise references to specific conditions.”
: "Disabled, Disability" entry
- IndigenousUse
“The Native American Journalist Association (NAJA) encourages newsrooms to capitalize the words Indigenous and Aboriginal because they are identities, not adjectives. NAJA also advises against referring to people as possessions of states or countries. For example, 'the Indigenous people of Arizona' is preferable to 'Arizona's Indigenous people.'”
: Entry 'Aboriginal, Indigenous' (archived markdown line 1364)
- InjuryAvoid
“Don't use language that reinforces stigma, or implies helplessness or victimhood. For example, describe "people living with AIDS" rather than people "suffering from AIDS."”
: Disease entry
- InmateUse with care
“Are they prisoners, inmates, convicts, or incarcerated people? … Others believe that the term prisoner is dehumanizing, and might prefer terms such as incarcerated person … Try to find out if an individual/individuals favor a specific term. …”
: “Prisons and Incarcerated People” entry
- Mental IllnessUse with care
“Be careful when referring broadly to mental illness or "serious mental illness" in reporting. In general, refer to a specific condition where possible. Do not refer to a particular condition unless it's relevant and has been formally diagnosed.”
: "Mental Illness" entry
- Native AmericanUse with care
“Native Americans are the Indigenous people of North America. The term should only be used to describe groups of two or more people who come from different tribal affiliations. If you're interviewing individuals, or reporting on individual tribes, then identify them by their preferred tribal affiliation.”
: Native American entry
- ProstituteAvoid
“The term "prostitute" should not be used unless you are making a specific historic or legal reference. Ensure that you include the voices and views of sex workers in your work rather than solely the views of those who have no direct experience of the …”
: "Sex Work" entry
- RefugeesUse with care
“Refugee: a person who has been recognized as a refugee under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees… It is important to understand the differences between these terms, as they define the rights of people, and specify the responsibilities of states.”
: Migration → definitions (Asylum Seeker, Refugee, Internally Displaced People)
- SchizophrenicAvoid
“Use clear, people-first language when describing a condition and its symptoms. For example, "she is living with schizophrenia" rather than "she is schizophrenic."”
: Mental health / people-first language section
- StereotypesAvoid
“Careful consideration should be given to avoiding language and images which reinforces negative stereotypes of Indigenous people and their culture.”
: Reporting in Indigenous communities (citing Allan Clarke, ABC guidelines)
- SuicideUse with care
“In reporting, choose accurate, neutral terms such as "died by suicide." The familiar usage "committed suicide" is stigmatizing because it is rooted in a time when suicide was illegal … Avoid "committed suicide" except in direct quotes.”
: Suicide section
- SurvivorUse with care
“She advises against using the word victim. But she also cautions against assuming the word survivor is the best alternative. Her approach is to listen to the language interviewees use to define themselves and follow suit.”
: Sexual Violence, on giving agency to those who have experienced it
- TransgenderUse with care
“Be careful not to out a source without their consent, and be conscious that some trans people may be out in certain areas of their lives and not others. … When writing about a trans person, don't describe them as 'identifying' with a specific gender. Just say 'is' instead.”
: Transgender, Trans entry
- TribeUse with care
“Native Americans are the Indigenous people of North America. The term should only be used to describe groups of two or more people who come from different tribal affiliations. If you're interviewing individuals, or reporting on individual tribes, then identify them by their preferred tribal affiliation.”
: Native American entry