Microaggressions and Implicit Bias

Even the most committed professionals carry implicit biases—automatic assumptions shaped by culture and experience. When unexamined, these biases can influence how we interpret clients’ stories, assess credibility, and build trust. This interactive workshop explores how biases form, how they operate beneath awareness, and how they show up in advocacy practice. Participants will examine microaggressions—subtle, often unintentional behaviors or comments that communicate bias—and their impact on survivors from marginalized communities. Through case examples and guided reflection, learners will strengthen their ability to recognize bias in the moment, respond intentionally, interrupt harmful behavior, and take accountability when mistakes cause harm.