Law enforcement, service providers, and medical responders experience sustained exposure to child maltreatment, sexual assaults, and human trafficking. The resulting effects can be devastating and include substance abuse, increased rates of suicide, marital distress, depression and anxiety, and decreased physical wellness. This presentation focuses on vicarious trauma and equips attendees with practical tools to assess and improve their well-being. Key topics include distinguishing vicarious trauma from secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, burnout, moral injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Through personal anecdotes and interactive discussions, participants will explore the profound impact of high-stress work environments not only on professional performance but also on personal lives, relationships, and home dynamics. The session emphasizes resilience-building strategies for self-care, aiming to reduce professional burnout, decrease turnover, and enhance overall wellness. By addressing these challenges, attendees will be better equipped to strengthen their personal relationships, maintain work-life balance, and provide high-quality support to the victims and communities they serve.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Melissa Kaiser specializes in anti-human trafficking, vicarious trauma, and officer wellness. With 15 years of experience, she has trained over 14,000 professionals and developed programs specific to person-centered care. Based in Florida, she offers global consulting in wellness, trauma-informed care, and multi-disciplinary team development.