Module 5.1Kentucky Victim Assistance Academy

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UNDERSTANDING TRAUMAUNDERSTANDING TRAUMA

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TRAUMA INFORMED CARETRAUMA INFORMED CARE

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Three Principles of Trauma-Three Principles of Trauma-Informed CareInformed Care

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When to refer…When to refer…

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Module 5.2Kentucky Victim Assistance Academy

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Identify negative and positive effects of doing trauma-related work.

Describe the five core elements of resilience.

Develop personal strategies to strengthen their resilience.

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Secondary stress Burnout Compassion fatigue Vicarious traumatization Cumulative stress Countertransference Emotional contagion

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Negative Personal EffectsNegative Personal Effects Numbing defenses Rage Shame Horror Grief Disturbed sleep Anger Fear Nightmares

Flashbacks Irritability Anxiety Alienation Loss of control Suicidal thoughts Physical distress Low self-esteem Disturbing images

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There are positive aspects of working in the Victim Service Field!

Many are strengthened and energized by the work that they do.

Positive AspectsPositive Aspects

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What Keeps You Coming Back?

ActivityActivity

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One’s ability to return to healthy functioning after being in a stressful situation.

The power to cope with adversity and adapt to challenges or change.

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Self-knowledge and insight

Sense of hope

Healthy coping

Strong relationships

Personal perspective and meaning

Five Core Elements of Five Core Elements of ResilienceResilience

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Self-Knowledge and Self-Knowledge and InsightInsight

Components Knowing who you are

Having a clear sense of what you believe and how you feel.

Identifying your strengths and weaknesses.

Positive self-esteem

Strong inner locus of control

Independence

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Explore your motivation for working with victims of crime.

Identify themes associated with discomfort.

Clarify goals, mission, and boundaries of the organization.

Recognize limits of control.

Get adequate training.

Individualize services to each victim.

Strategies for Developing Self-Strategies for Developing Self-Knowledge and Insight Knowledge and Insight

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Sense of HopeSense of Hope

Components

Optimism, a capacity to envision a solution.

Sense of humor and ability to have fun.

Belief that situations can get better.

Positive outlook, a belief that the future will be better than the present or past.

Recognizing difficulty while maintaining a positive view toward life’s challenges.

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Develop opportunities to succeed.

Practice gratitude.

Change or expand your job description.

Give praise.

Diversify client types.

Seek advanced professional development.

Decorate your office.

Find appropriate ways to have fun.

Strategies for Developing a Strategies for Developing a Sense of HopeSense of Hope

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Balance the negative aspects of work with positive activities.

Paying attention to physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs

Building on skills and abilities, and planning for and addressing negative feelings proactively.

Healthy CopingHealthy Coping

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Healthy Coping ContinuedHealthy Coping Continued

ComponentsStrategies for Development

Using skills and abilities.

Creativity.

Effective planning.

Addressing negativity proactively.

Identify physical stress reactions.

Balance your life.

Get adequate sleep.

Use regular supervision.

Use technology and resources wisely.

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Strong RelationshipsStrong Relationships

Components Understanding that

belonging is a basic human need.

Having positive connections with others.

Having personal networks of support.

Attachments to others.

Seeking and giving support.

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Enhance communication skills.

Learn boundaries of confidentiality.

Collaborate.

Discuss cases.

Seek inclusiveness and diversity.

Foster a team approach.

Address conflict resolution proactively.

Strive to be genuine, empathetic, and warm.

Strategies in Developing Strong Strategies in Developing Strong RelationshipsRelationships

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Having personal points of view—weighing the costs, losses, and benefits associated with victim services work.

Having individual morality, integrity, spirituality.

Having a coherent meaning for life.

Personal Perspective & Personal Perspective & MeaningMeaning

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Personal Perspective & Meaning Personal Perspective & Meaning ContinuedContinued

Strategies for Development

Assess personal values.

Integrate new understanding in your work.

Assess your perspective of suffering.

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1. Individually review the completed Worksheet 10.1, Resilience Assessment, noting areas where you have scored yourself as “1” or “2.”

2. Using Worksheet 10.2, Personal Resilience Development Plan, identify a few areas where you have scored yourself as “1” or “2” in which you would like to become more resilient. Write these areas in the column titled Resilience Challenge.

3.Using Worksheet 10.3, Resilience Strategies, identify the strategy you would like to use to strengthen your resilience. Write the strategy in the Strategy column.

4. For the Action Plan column, jot down a few specific actions you will take to implement the strategy.

Activity: Personal Resilience Activity: Personal Resilience Development PlanDevelopment Plan

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Death NotificationDeath Notification

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Ventilation of Emotions

Calm reassuring authority

Restoration of control

Homicide Survivor Needs During Homicide Survivor Needs During Death NotificationDeath Notification

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Present credentials (if not in uniform) and ask to come in Don’t deliver the notification through the door Sit down and ask them to sit down; make sure you have the

next of kin Use the victim’s name. “Are you the parents of _____?” Never notify a child

◦ They can become traumatized with no support◦ Gives them the burden of telling parents/other family members◦ Never use a child as a translator

Inform simply and directly with warmth and compassion Expect flight, fight, freeze, etc.

◦ All are normal reactions. Don’t restrain unless behaviors are harmful to self or another

◦ Be prepared to respond to shock or other medical conditions Join the survivor in their grief but don’t be overwhelmed by

it.

The NotificationThe Notification

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Death Notification Video

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Media – talk to media only after discussions with family regarding the statement and with permission ◦ unless public “need to know” is paramount.

Try to make sure the family doesn’t learn things through the media

Warn the family that coverage might be highly dramatic and replayed for some time.

MediaMedia

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If identification is necessary◦ Transport to and from ◦ Prior to arrival discuss:◦ The room where the body will be◦ What the body might look like

Some will want to see the body even if it is not necessary◦ Informed choice◦ Generally survivors who view their loved one do

better than those who are prevented from viewing

Body viewing and Body viewing and identificationidentification

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Call and ask to visit again:oIf they don’t want you to come, spend time on the phone and express your willingness to answer questions.oInform them whether the offender has been apprehended and about charging and bail.oAsk the family if they are ready to receive the victim’s personal belongings. Honor their wishes Package clothing nicely and explain what to expect if/when package is opened.

Next DayNext Day

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Deliver the notification:◦ In time◦ In person◦ In pairs◦ In simple language◦ With compassion

Remember:Remember:

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This Instructor Manual was produced by the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and Western Kentucky University under 2011VFGXK004, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Instructor Manual are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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