Introduction
Vicarious trauma is one concept used by clinical psychologists to describe the cumulative impact of empathetic engagement with other people’s trauma. Vicarious trauma is similar to, but distinct from, related concepts such as burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress.
This website contains information for organisations, managers and employees on how to become vicarious trauma aware and introduce practices that could help prevent or lessen the impact of vicarious trauma.
This information has been primarily designed for the Victorian Public Service, however the resources available within it are relevant to all organisations whose staff engage with traumatic content as part of their work. In Victoria, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 includes psychological health and therefore organisations are legally responsible to look after the mental health of their workers.
Vicarious trauma is one concept used by clinical psychologists to describe the cumulative impact of empathetic engagement with other people’s trauma. Vicarious trauma is similar to, but distinct from, related concepts such as burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress.
This website contains information for organisations, managers and employees on how to become vicarious trauma aware and introduce practices that could help prevent or lessen the impact of vicarious trauma.
This information has been primarily designed for the Victorian Public Service, however the resources available within it are relevant to all organisations whose staff engage with traumatic content as part of their work. In Victoria, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 includes psychological health and therefore organisations are legally responsible to look after the mental health of their workers.