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SHIFT: Supporting Heroes In mental health Foundational Training A Psychoeducational Program for Mental Health Professionals. Huntsville PEP-MEP. Jane Stevenson and Joe Laramie. funded by Department of Justice, OJJDP ICAC Training & Technical Assistance. Course developed by
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SHIFT: Supporting Heroes In mental health Foundational TrainingA Psychoeducational Program for Mental Health Professionals
Huntsville PEP-MEP Jane Stevenson andJoe Laramie
funded byDepartment of Justice, OJJDPICAC Training & Technical Assistance
Course developed by The Innocent Justice Foundation in partnership with Jane Stevenson (Workplace Wellbeing) Chuck Arnold (ICAC Task Force Commander) Mike Sullivan (ICAC Task Force Commander) Joe Laramie (ICAC Task Force Commander)
Objectives of this Session To understand: • The true nature of child pornography • The ICAC response to problem • The negative impact of child pornography on exposed individuals • Who is exposed • Tools to help exposed individuals
Pre- Test Delivery 5 minutes
Nature and Scope of Child Pornography and Offender Networks
Offenders and the Internet Internet can empower offenders through: Normalization of pedophilia Enhancedstatus with other offenders Feeling of anonymity Learning environment i.e. Grooming/Molestation Avoidance of justice
What is Child Pornography? Not about obscenity or pornography… Child Crime Scene = Pornography Photos
What is Child Pornography? 2005 Study funded by Congress 83% had images of children 6 to 12 years oldhad images of children 3 to 5 years oldhad images of childrenyounger than 3 39% 19%
What is Child Pornography? 2005 Study funded by Congress 80% had images of sexual penetrationhad images of children subjected to “bondage, rape or torture. Most of these were… gagged, bound, blindfolded or otherwise enduring sadistic sex.” 21%
What is Child Pornography? Law Enforcement Says: Victims are getting youngerMany are babies or toddlersAbuse is getting more violent and sadistic Live webcam and streaming video
High Correlation to Abuse 2005 Study funded by Congress 45% Actively MolestingAttempting to MolestActive Danger to Children on Day of Arrest 10% 55%
High Correlation of Abuse Butner federal prison 2006 study of 155 child pornography offenders: 85% Admitted to having molested childrenDenied, then failed polygraphCould honestly say they did not have any child molestation victims, but looking for chance 13% 2%
How Big is the Crisis? Over 100,000 websitesOver 6.5 million images identified since 2003 Estimated 60,000 new images each monthHundreds of thousands of Peer-to-Peer traders ICAC Data Network, Royal Canadian Mounted Police 3/15/06
Overwhelmed Law Enforcement The Offender Network How big is the crisis?
Overwhelmed Law Enforcement Impact of insufficient resources leads to: Triaging of cases (and ultimately victims!)Many cases never investigatedMany victims never identified or rescued
ICAC Duties Investigate child pornography crimes Forensically analyze evidence Testify in court Undercover operations As child or mother As offender Interview suspects and victims
Exposed Individuals Commanders Investigators Forensic analysts Investigative aides Prosecutors Judges and other court personnel Probation/Parole
Indirectly Exposed IndividualsVia the ‘Ripple’ EffectColleagues Friends Spouses Family members Mental Health Professionals
SHIFT VIDEO – PART 1 Video 10 minutes
Physiological Effects and Symptoms of Chronic Exposure
Physiology of Stress Stressors - Acute - Chronic Hypothalamus Adrenaline Cortisol Noradrenaline Our physiological response will depend on the severity of the stressor and the duration of the stress
Psychological Impact Triggered by acute events such as being attacked. Chronic exposure to stressors can be responsible for a cumulative psychological impact.
Chronic Physiological Stressors • Chronic stressors for ICAC staff may include High workloads Exposure to distressing images Emotional interaction with child victims and/or offenders Resulting sense of hopelessness
Burnout Often excessively dedicated employees According to Luban (1996), “Burnout” tends to happen to givers -- people who are the bright, perfectionist, idealistic high achievers in our culture.”
Compassion Fatigue Stamm & Figley, 1996 • Reduction in Compassion Satisfaction: • Increased negative emotionality • Low morale and apathy • Dissatisfaction about one’s role as helper Helping the Helpers: The Safeguard Program at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Juliet M. Francis, Psy.D., Gina De Arth-Pendley, Ph.D., Erin Reilly, M.A., Christine Feller, M.A., and John Shehan,
Vicarious Trauma Definition “ .. the cumulative transformative effect upon the (exposed individual), of working with survivors of traumatic life events” Pearlman & Saakvitne (1995)
Vicarious Trauma (VT) VT is a process of change relating to how an individual views themselves and the world around them Gradual process Often insidious Can include compassion fatigue Can include burnout Can be permanent Can be stopped!
Range of Trauma Primary (Acute) Secondary (Chronic) <-----------------Viewing CP images Interviewing a suspect Interviewing a victim UC as a mother/child UC as offender Case triage
Symptoms of Chronic Exposure Normal non-persistent non-intrusive Warning Signs persistent mildly intrusive Trouble Indicators persistent intrusive
Traditional Coping Strategies Simple Denial Rationalization Sublimation Reframing negative affect as being overworked or other conventional forms. *Durham, McCammon & Allison, (1985), †Janik (1995)
Maladaptive Coping Strategies Risk-taking behavior Driving too fast or angrily Alcohol abuse Substance abuse
Physiological Effects Physical Response to Images
Professional Factors, Management Response, and Personal Factors
Contributing Factors Professional Factors Personal Factors
Professional Factors Type of Work Job Itself • Killing a human • Death of a fellow officer • Being attacked • Direct contact with child abuse* Anshel, M.H. (2000)Follette et. Al (1994)
Professional Factors Type of Work Large caseloads, low success rate, lack of reward Lack of tools and training Images with strong emotional content Heightened empathy for the victims Images that precipitate familiarity with loved one Lack of understanding of role by society
Factors that impact on prevalence or severity Longevity of career Personal Trauma History Large caseloads Increased contact with clients Long working hours Gender Cornille and Meyers (1999)
Highest Higher Lower Under 1 year 1-4 years 4+ years Professional Factors Length of Time on Job Helping the Helpers: The Safeguard Program at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Juliet M. Francis, Psy.D., Gina De Arth-Pendley, Ph.D., Erin Reilly, M.A., Christine Feller, M.A., and John Shehan,
Professional Factors Cumulative Exposure Lack of breaks from exposure Degree of Organizational Support Isolation Peer respect Command support Volun-Told Lack of Mental Health Services
Management Response “Few agencies seemed to plan for the possiblity that some personnel might have problems due to exposure to child pornography.” Work-Related Exposure to Child Pornography in ICAC Task Forces and Affiliated Agencies: Reactions and Responses to Possible Stresses, Janis Wolak , Kimberly J. Mitchell, UNH Crimes Against Children Research Center, Conducted for U.S. Dept of Justice, OJJDP, 2009
Need for More Support Research by Jane Stevenson, UK, 2002 60% of British officers felt inadequately briefed for role Found their role to be more distressing than expected 21% “Identifying effective support for police officers and support staff, viewing child abuse images on the Internet,” Jane Stevenson. BSc (Hons), Occupational Health and Welfare
Lack of Preparation Survey by University of New Hampshire, 2009 19% Affiliates prepared incoming staff ICAC’s prepared incoming staff 45% Work-Related Exposure to Child Pornography in ICAC Task Forces and Affiliated Agencies: Reactions and Responses to Possible Stresses, Janis Wolak , Kimberly J. Mitchell, UNH Crimes Against Children Research Center, Conducted for U.S. Dept of Justice, OJJDP, 2009
Poor Mental Health Support Research by University of New Hampshire, 2009 13% Of ICAC affiliates felt mental health staff was knowledgeable about cp Of ICAC Task Forces felt mental health staff was knowledgeable about cp 33% Work-Related Exposure to Child Pornography in ICAC Task Forces and Affiliated Agencies: Reactions and Responses to Possible Stresses, Janis Wolak , Kimberly J. Mitchell, UNH Crimes Against Children Research Center, Conducted for U.S. Dept of Justice, OJJDP, 2009
Challenges Overcoming the stigma of asking for help EI’s need to take responsibility Ask EI’s for input on guidelines Set up systems BEFORE problems come up Mandatory vs. Optional
Personal Factors Home-Life Stress Personal relationship stress Bringing work home Lack of outside interests
Personal Factors Unresolved personal or family sexual abuse Being a parent Custody battles Illness or death of child Difficulty getting pregnant