Secondary Trauma RANDY SHIVELY DAVID BERENSON

Job Description for SO Professionals  Protect victims from sexual assault  Hold sexual offenders accountable for their actions  Investigate every detail of sex offenders’ lives  Be exposed to the dark side of humanity on an ongoing basis  Carry the burden of community safety  Risk personal and professional isolation  Run a high risk for secondary trauma Center for Sex Offender Management CSOM

What is Secondary Trauma?  It is the dual experience of feeling traumatized by the victims’ pain and the offenders’ history of offending (Center for Sex Offender Management)  “Not only must workers become familiar with the trauma experienced by victims of sexual assault, but in order to do their jobs effectively, they must also gain insight into the unhealthy tactics and approaches used by offenders when abusing victims— we must understand their thought processes and devious patterns” (Pullen and Pullen)

Signs of Secondary Trauma  Feelings of Isolation and Depression  Feeling overly responsible for the safety of the community  Feeling distrustful of others inside and outside your job  Relationship problems  Denying our own needs in the face of trying to protect others

Dave’s Top 10 Hints That You May Be Suffering from Secondary Trauma- CSOM  #10  #9  #8  #7  #6  #5  #4  #3  #2  #1

Sex Offenders Tactics  Control, control, control- due to feeling Powerless  Anger In (depression) and Anger Out (violence and verbal aggression)  Denial-Minimization/Victim Blaming  Manipulation  Lack of Empathy

Sex Offender Professionals’ Feelings  Slimed  Numb  Depressed  Angry  Hopeless

Many Physical Problems Occur-Stress Related  Headaches  Heartburn Lower immunity  High Blood Pressure  Heart Attack  Stroke  Colitis  Skin Problems and many others CSOM

IOR Model as Self Monitoring and Addressing  Identify: Admit you have signs of Secondary Trauma  Own: In the situation own that you are experiencing the signs  Replace: Use a strategy to replace negative thinking and behavior and practice, practice, practice positive coping and self help

Common Ways to Reduce Impact  Cultivate a sense of humor  Have healthy intimate and family relationships  Have one or more healthy relationships at work in which you can express emotions related to work experience  Maintain relationships with professional peers who work outside the criminal justice system CSOM

Other Common Ways  Have one or more close friendships away from work  Avoid or self-monitor potentially harmful approaches to stress management, ie. smoking, drinking, risk-taking, cynicism and negativity  Physical Self-care (ie. healthy diet, regular check-ups)  Attend professional trainings CSOM

Those Who Perform Well on Job- Traits  Flexible  Technically Competent  Self-confident  Empathetic  Patient

Perform Well  Integrity  Honesty  Humor  Know Self Well CSOM

Your Clients Need You for Long Run  Take Needed Breaks  Stay Client Centered on the job  Plan transition for Clients if you have to leave job  Learn from your clients as they learn from you

References  Randy Shively- Director of Research and Clinical Development, Alvis  David Berenson- Director of Sex Offender Services – Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections

References  Center for Sex Offender Management – Recognizing Secondary Trauma  Powerpoint- Taking Care of Yourself, Your Staff, and Your Colleagues: A Workshop on Preventing and Addressing Secondary Trauma (nysatsa.com)  Walker, A.,2011. Working with Sex Offenders and those Individuals with a Learning Disability: The Importance of Psychological Factors in the Delivery of Care. Dissertation.  Sorrentino, R Criminal law: secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma and burnout: the hazards of working with sex offenders. (nhbar.org)