It seems that “trigger warnings” are everywhere these days, from the usual “This program contains crude language and sexual content; viewer discretion is advised,” to “Trigger warning: rape, extreme verbal abuse, and torture.”

You might think if ever there was a place for a trigger warning, it’s an ABE, adult literacy or GED class where teachers daily work with students who have experiences of violence:

• those whose childhood experiences of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse made it difficult for them to succeed in the K-12 system;
• those who came from war zones, who may have been tortured and who saw loved ones killed or wounded;
• those who, as youth or adults, were or still are involved in gangs or other criminal activity;
• those who are currently living with violence from their boyfriend or spouse.
• those whose schools lives were miserable because of taunts and bullying from students and teachers because they did not succeed at school tasks.

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