A Qualitative Exploration of Healthcare Workers’ Experiences in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre

Research into vicarious traumatisation and post-traumatic growth demonstrates both personal costs and potential positive impactst on professionals respectively. Due to high levels of interpersonal trauma exposure involved in in sexual assault services, staff may be significantly impacted. This study is the first to explore staff experiences in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Northern Ireland. Interviews conducted with professionals were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Themes include: Staff experience negative emotional challenges and heightened fear of interpersonal violence, staff engage in defenses against indirect trauma, yet, they derive positive meaning from their work. Findings inform occupational support.