Applying a Disaster Response Model

to Child Abuse Traumaand Advocacy Work

Triumph over Tragedy

Portions of Triumph Over Tragedy disaster response training are edited by Garret D. Evans & Brenda A. Wiens, Southern Rural Development Center. The material may be copied for nonprofit educational use.

Rhonda Sandlin

Similarities … Differences

• Multiple losses across multiple systems• Trauma reactions• Individuals finding new “normals”• Dealing with agencies/bureaucracies• New settings/new people

• More isolating• More debilitating sense of shame• More acute loss of voice• Lack of global and ongoing understanding/awareness

Disaster/Trauma Stress: Children

• Behavior problems• Emotional symptoms• Nightmares• Fighting with friends• School difficulties• Trouble eating or sleeping• Physical complaints

Disaster/Trauma Stress: Adults

• Increased substance use• Mood changes, irritability• Recurrent thoughts• Avoidance• Shaken belief systems• Discord in relationships• Decline in work performance• Changes in sleeping, eating • Increase in physical symptoms

Normal Resting Heart Rate: 80 bpm

Heart Rate during traumatic event: +15 bpm

Waco Children Resting Heart Rate: 135 bpm

We are not always able to control our exposure to trauma and stress, but we must find healthy ways

to respond to stressful events.

The Effects of Chronic Stress

Giving Care and Taking Care

As responders, we learn how to

1) Provide compassionate and educated support response to trauma survivors.

2) Receive ongoing support and education to combat compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.

Giving Care

Allow them to explain their understanding of eventsListen for misunderstandings

Allow questionsIt is okay to say you don’t know an answerRemain open to further questions at a later time

Ages 5-10Focus on positive aspects of recoveryAddress rumors or fears

Ages 11 and upSimilar guidelines as you would use with adultsBe careful not to make children confidants

Giving Care

Seven supportive communications1. Empathy“How are you holding up?”

2. Normalization“You are having a normal reaction to abnormal events and

situations.”

3. Recognition of efforts to cope“Everyone copes in his or her own way.”

4. Self-care“Make sure to do things to keep yourself healthy.”

5. Tolerance for change“You will find a new normal after this is over.”

6. Instilling hope“You have made it through some tough times before, and you will make it

through this, too.”

7. Accepting help“It is okay to take some help when you need it.”

Giving Care

Giving Care

• Monitor environment and individuals

• Find and recommend appropriate resources

• Understand Developmental Theory, PTSD, Trauma Syndromes

• Prepare individuals for

autonomy and for closure

Taking Care

Interviewing

Training (include compassion fatigue)

One-on-one debriefing throughout training

Group process

Message: You Matter

Exit interviews

Vicarious Trauma or Compassion Fatigue

Exposure to others’ traumatic events that results in increased feelings of vulnerability, anger and fear. It is also called secondary trauma.

• It is a NORMAL response• It is NOT burnout

Taking Care

Coping with Compassion FatigueShare with others and reflect on experiences.

Maintain realistic boundaries and limits.

Gain more experience (alleviates feelings of fear).

Maintain balance in work, play, and rest.

Find mutual support.

Strengthen social networks.

Articulate your feelings.

Taking Care

Taking Care

• Checking-in (7 supportive statements)

• Notice…ask…monitor compassion fatigue

• Meet individual needs

• Provide respite and support as needed

• Provide counselingservices

Taking Care: BALANCE

Physical

Social

Emotional

Intellectual

Creative

Spiritual

Taking Care

Practice good stress control techniques• Relaxation, exercise, meditation, treats• Work no more than 10 hours/day• Breaks during day/Break during week• Know what you can and cannot control• De-awfulize situations; keep perspective• Drugs, alcohol, food, cigarettes: coping that can backfire• Even small doses of exercise make you feel better• Concentrate on the moment – not the past, not the future• Don’t ‘should’ on yourself; give yourself a break