A multidisciplinary team response to child abuse investigations & vicarious trauma

A Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) is a coordinated, multidisciplinary response to the investigation, protection, treatment, advocacy and prosecution of child abuse cases in a child-friendly environment. Working in a CYAC... [ view full abstract ]

A Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) is a coordinated, multidisciplinary response to the investigation, protection, treatment, advocacy and prosecution of child abuse cases in a child-friendly environment. Working in a CYAC has been shown to have many benefits, including a more effective and efficient approach to cases and positive relationships among partners. While many of these benefits are experienced and well understood, the impact and protective role that the CYAC plays in the reduction of vicarious trauma amongst staff has not been well researched. Many who have studied vicarious trauma and its protective factors have suggested that a well-functioning collaborative team can have a positive impact on reducing vicarious trauma. When an impactful case suddenly hits a large team, the true meaning of vicarious trauma emerges. While vicarious trauma is well studied in the literature, the experience front-line workers face and subsequently need to manage is not always well reflected; staff and management are forced to implement strategies that are not just theoretical but practical. This presentation will highlight the significant role a CYAC team can have in mitigating vicarious trauma. A detailed case study of a 9 year-old girl and her family will be utilized to explore the various forms of vicarious trauma that emerged from the moment of the disclosure, the confession, the sexual abuse images, apprehension into care, medical examination findings, caregiver support, court preparation, prosecution and trauma treatment. Over a 2-year period, the strategies implemented throughout the different stages of the case will be explored, highlighting how the collaborative relationships inherent within the CYAC decreased vicarious trauma among team members and facilitated timely decisions.