Description Discussion paper with a focus on workers in the sexual assault sector.
What's the evidence base for this resource Based on a narrative review of relevant research literature, and interviews with Australian sexual assault counsellors. This was not a formal research study but provides some 'practice insight' from workers in the field.
Potential uses and limitations: Includes a section highlighting organisational support to prevent and address vicarious trauma.
Could also be useful for supervision.
Where it comes from: 2007 paper from the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (a now defunct department of the Australian Institute of Family Studies).
Description: Information page on prevention of workplace stress and trauma covers the topics:
What can I do if I'm experiencing work-induced stress or trauma?
What's the evidence base for this resource Does not directly cite any research literature. However 1800 Respect is a well established, high profile organisation and the information presented is broadly consistent with the evidence on staff wellbeing.
Potential uses and limitations The information is presented as dot point summaries of key themes. There are specific strategies suggested for primary prevention in relation to vicarious trauma. May be useful as a discussion starter.
Where it comes from 1800RESPECT is the Australian national sexual assault, domestic and family violence telephone counselling service.
Description Chapter on Vicarious Trauma and self-care (Chapter 14, page 105) for GP's when working with patients experiencing abuse, violence and trauma.
What's the evidence base for this resource: Consistent reference to the research and relevant literature. Includes reference list.
Potential uses and limitation: Includes ideas for personal and organisational strategies to enhance protective factors: awareness, balance and connection. Many of the themes here are relevant across different types of organisations where trauma exposure is present.
Where it comes from: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 'White Book'.
Description: This series of video presentations critiques the notions of 'burnout' and 'vicarious trauma'. Instead, Dr Reynolds suggests 'spiritual pain' as a more accurate term to describe what happens when workers are faced with the effects that oppression has on the lives of clients. She argues that the key question for workers and organisations is not 'how is your mental health?', but rather 'how are we treating each other?'
Dr Reynolds has also written about her approach to 'centring ethics' in supervision to explore the harms experienced by workers in this article which she has made freely available through her website.
Dr Vikki Reynolds is an activist/therapist who works to bridge the worlds of social justice activism with community work & therapy.
What's the evidence base for this resource: Dr Reynold's
experience includes supervision and therapy with refugees and survivors
of torture, sexualized violence counsellors, mental health and substance
misuse counsellors, housing and shelter workers, activists and working
alongside gender and sexually diverse communities.
Potential uses and limitation: Provides a perspective on "vicarious trauma" that challenges clinical, symptom focused frameworks. Useful for workplaces that place ethical considerations at the centre of their work, to think about how teams and organisations can develop effective practices of collective care and accountability.
Where it comes from: Dr Vikki Reynolds' professional development presentation for the BC Settlement and Language Service Providers' Provincial Meeting hosted by AMSSA, 2017.