Understanding Vicarious Trauma within Violence Interrupter Programs

Project Overview

This project examines the prevalence, impact, and mitigation strategies of vicarious trauma among volunteers, staff, and violence interrupters working in gun and community violence-affected regions across the United States. By examining trauma symptoms and the role of organizational support systems, this research aims to provide actionable insights to improve the well-being of those engaged in violence intervention. The ultimate goal is to enhance care provided to both intervention workers, survivors of violence, and justice-impacted individuals.

Specific Aims

This research study’s goal is to conduct analysis using validated instruments to identify patterns and factors influencing vicarious trauma. This analysis will also explore strategies for mitigating the impact of such trauma.

Key Impacts of Vicarious Trauma

Vicarious trauma can lead to several significant consequences. It often results in emotional and psychological distress for those affected. Furthermore, it contributes to burnout and decreased job performance among those working in violence prevention and intervention roles. This trauma also leads to high turnover rates in these fields, and it can decrease the ability of individuals to provide empathetic and effective care to survivors of violence.

Why This Research Matters

Gun violence and community violence disrupt lives and damage communities, and those tasked with preventing violence or providing care for victims often experience secondary trauma. While much attention is given to the direct victims of violence, the impact on those who serve them is often overlooked. Vicarious trauma can have significant consequences, both for individuals and for the organizations they work for.

Domain and Metrics Table

Domain	Metrics
Vicarious Trauma and Emotional Impact	Self-reported levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout using standardized scales (e.g., STSS -Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale and proQOL - Professional Quality of Life checklist).
Training and Support	Frequency of individuals who have received formal trauma-informed training, mental health support, access to peer support groups, counseling services, or wellness programs. Participant satisfaction with organizational support systems.
Workload and Role Characteristics	Average number of individuals (participants or community members) served per week. Duration of service in community violence intervention roles. Number of hours worked per week in high-trauma environments.

Participate in our Study on Secondary Trauma within Violence Interrupter Programs

Do you work or volunteer as a Violence Interrupter or in a role focused on community violence intervention, such as a Credible Messenger, Outreach Worker, Case Manager, Advocate, or Supervisor?

Participants will receive a $25 electronic gift card, and all responses are confidential.

This project was funded by Office of Justice Programs (OVC) and The Center for Victim Research.