Vicarious Trauma Committee
The mission of the AAFS Vicarious Trauma Presidential ad hoc committee is to create an open, supportive community for forensic practitioners and AAFS members, dedicated to understanding and mitigating the impact of vicarious trauma. We aim to foster honest conversations, reduce stigma around seeking help, and identify best practices that promote resilience and well-being within the forensic community.
Goals
Membership Outreach and Community Building
- Share stories of resilience to inspire and connect members.
- Create avenues for members to openly share their experiences with vicarious trauma.
Awareness and Education
- Provide training sessions on recognizing vicarious trauma, its symptoms, and its impact personally and in others (students, co-workers, juries, etc)
- Raise awareness of vicarious trauma and available resources within the academy and the forensic community.
Support Systems
- Establish peer support groups and provide access to counseling services for emotional support.
- Create a safe environment where members can discuss and process their experiences.
Resource Development
- Provide members with resources on understanding and mitigating vicarious trauma.
- Develop self-care toolkits, stress management techniques, and guidelines for maintaining healthy boundaries at work and at home.
Research and Policy Development
- Conduct or support research on the impact of vicarious trauma within the forensic profession and the academy community.
- Develop policies that promote work-life balance and address vicarious trauma actively.
Professional Development
- Offer workshops, conferences, and other professional development opportunities focused on trauma-informed care and managing vicarious trauma.
- Assemble and share best practices for addressing vicarious trauma effectively.
Objectives
Member Communication and Engagement
- Communicate regularly with members through the academy newsletter to share updates, resources, and member stories.
- Allow members to share personal stories of vicarious trauma and resilience in the newsletter to foster a sense of community.
Research and Data Collection
- Conduct a survey of academy members to establish a baseline understanding of vicarious trauma.
- Gather input on whether members' agencies have policies addressing vicarious trauma.
Resource Identification and Best Practices
- Identify and compile existing resources available to academy members.
- Assemble and share best practices for addressing vicarious trauma in the forensic profession.
Education and Professional Development
- Present at academy meetings to raise awareness of vicarious trauma and engage members.
- Sponsor workshops and webinars, including an AAFS workshop, to provide tools and strategies for mitigating vicarious trauma.
- Facilitate AAFS webinars focused on vicarious trauma, available resources, and self-care strategies.
Promoting Self-Care and Well-Being
- Encourage and facilitate self-care practices among members and staff to support mental health and resilience.