Module 3
Students experiencing reduced psychological safety
often adapt by becoming quieter… not louder.
Common student indicators:
“Everything’s fine” or “it will be okay” paired with withdrawal or anxiety
Avoidance of check-ins or vague communication
Fearful tone when discussing evaluation
Sudden drop in confidence or participation
Rushing work or reluctance to ask questions
Silence is often interpreted as resilience. It may actually be self-protection.
76%
of students who experienced mistreatment did not report it
Most commonly because of fear of reprisal or the belief that nothing would change.
McClintock & Fainstad, 2022