Minimising trauma in staff at a sexual assault referral centre: what and who is needed?

Horvath, Miranda A. H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4363-4575, Massey, Kristina, Essafi, Shanaz and Majeed-Ariss, Rabiya (2020) Minimising trauma in staff at a sexual assault referral centre: what and who is needed? Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 74 . p. 102029. ISSN 1752-928X [Article] (doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2020.102029)

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Abstract

Introduction: This study investigates staff’s perspectives on the characteristics required to work in a sexual assault referral centre and the support and training they believe sexual assault referral centres should provide to minimise the negative impacts of the work and provide a supportive working environment.

Methods: Semi- structured interviews were conducted with 12 staff, and a focus group was held with a further four staff of a sexual assault referral centre. The data were examined using thematic analysis.

Results: Findings indicated that to work in a in sexual assault referral centre staff need to be understanding, empathetic, non-judgemental, supportive, flexible and resilient as well as having coping skills. The support structures and processes staff reported as being essential to creating a supportive working environment and reducing vicarious trauma were: supervision; training; peer support and shadowing.

Conclusions: Working in a SARC is stressful and emotionally difficult work. This study provides valuable insights about the individual and environmental factors SARC staff believe are required to have a happy and healthy workforce delivering a gold standard of care to victim-survivors of sexual violence.

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