“Some Things Stick”: Secondary Traumatization among Police Officers and Medical Personnel Meeting with Raped Women

Abstract

Professionals who work with traumatized individuals can develop secondary traumatization (ST). Little research has focused on ST among police officers and medical personnel, who meet with raped women. Based on focus groups with these professionals (N=28), a deductive thematic analysis was conducted with a focus on ST. Informants described listening to stories with traumatic content and they showed signs of cognitive and emotional changes. They also described a lack of support, forcing them to find both constructive and destructive ways of coping on their own. Negative effects may lead professionals to continue working without understanding how they are affected. This can hinder professionals from taking care of themselves as well as from offering proper treatment to the victims they meet.