Instructional Design for Sensitive Subjects

Designing training that is engaging, compassionate and informative is key for instructional designer Hallie Martyniuk, principal at TD3 Consulting. She shares how working in crime victim services has shaped her approach to designing learning  about subjects that need to be addressed with sensitivity.

Show Notes:

Instructional Designer and educator Hallie Martyniuk shares advice on handling the challenges of delivering effective training on some of the most sensitive topics imaginable including sexual assault, domestic violence, and abuse. Her key points include:

• Trauma-Informed Design Is Essential: When creating training around sensitive topics like sexual violence or abuse, it’s critical to assume learners may have personal experience with trauma. Being trauma-informed means balancing emotional content with careensuring that scenarios serve  clear learning objective.
• Make Training Relevant Through Real-Life Scenarios: Adult learners need to see how training applies to their day-to-day roles. Even with dry content like policy and procedure, Hallie recommends integrating realistic situations to make the material more engaging and memorable.
• Engagement Goes Beyond Clicking ‘Next’: Poorly designed e-learning often feels like a glorified PowerPoint. The best training starts with real-life context, asks questions, and builds in critical thinking to keep learners actively involved.
• Work Closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): Instructional designers don’t need to be experts in every topic—but they do need to ask the right questions. Hallie stresses collaborating with SMEs to understand key concepts, vocabulary, and cultural nuances.
• Support Learners Beyond the Screen: Sensitive training content can trigger emotional responses. Designers should plan for this by offering resources like hotlines or support contacts in the “where to go” section and preparing facilitators to handle disclosures with compassion and care.

Hallie Martyniuk serves as a consultant for one of d’Vinci’s educational products, Mandated Reporter Academy. 

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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