Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 02/2012

Vicarious Trauma: Understanding and Managing the Impact of Doing Research on Sensitive Topics

January 2010

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative

Abstract

We do research on sensitive topics because we care. We want to use our research findings to influence how society responds to an issue; to advocate for legislative change or policy improvements, or to strengthen prevention efforts through achieving a better understanding of why something occurs. We also do it because we enjoy learning about our world, and sharing experiences with like minded colleagues. Doing this work can be immensely rewarding. It can also be emotionally challenging. Listening to, reading about and analysing data on some of the most awful things human beings do to themselves and others can cause psychological distress and even physical health problems. By reading a particularly harrowing story; or after a long day in the field being an active empathic witness of trauma, or by analysing and re-analysing traumatic data, traumatic stories can gather in our mind, evoke strong feelings and result in distress and trauma related symptoms. Continuous exposure can result in vicarious trauma.