Vicarious Trauma Tool Kit

This article from the Office of Victims of Crime covers vicarious trauma, its symptoms and its effects. It covers who is at risk for experiencing vicarious trauma and suggestions to minimize risk for experiencing it.

Vicarious Trauma

This article touches upon the different types of symptoms that are associated with vicarious trauma, varying from behavioral to cognitive. It discusses the effects of vicarious trauma on mental health and self-care tips to prevent or reduce risk for vicarious trauma.

Working with Trauma Survivors: What Workers Need to Know

This article from the US Department of Veterans Affairs touches upon different reactions that trauma survivors can have when receiving treatment and how to best accommodate these. It also touches upon vicarious trauma and the effects it can have on a worker in both the professional and personal setting.

Vicarious Trauma Fact Sheet

This fact sheet helps explain different signs and symptoms of someone experiencing vicarious trauma and how it can effect a person in both a professional and personal setting.

Mourning the loss of Canadian Warrior Woman Bonice Thomas

On Monday evening 30 April, Bonice Hall Thomas moved on from her mortal body. She was supported by her loving family and friends and the caring staff and volunteers at Shornecliffe and Sunshine Coast Hospice, Sechelt, BC.   Bonice was a true maverick and lived life based on her convictions, refuting many of the pressures of our dominant society. We … Read More

Washington Post: What is an imprisoned journalist worth? For Turkey, it might be a German arms purchase.

By: Jason Rezaian, The Washington Post January 25, 2018 Along with increased pressure and threats from unfriendly governments, journalists in some parts of the world face the prospect of becoming bargaining chips. The German magazine Der Spiegel reported this week that Berlin is considering allowing Ankara to make a previously prohibited arms purchase from a German firm in exchange for the … Read More

‘You feel blessed’ — Former Lincolnite released from Congolese prison

Lincoln Journal Star: Marcel Pika Released from Congolese Prison   By Peter Salter, Lincoln Journal Star January 8, 2018 He woke Christmas morning in Omaha to a half-dozen missed calls and messages — from his mother in the Republic of Congo, from a man who knew what went on where his father was imprisoned. Percy Pika had grown to fear … Read More

New Kidnapping Trends on the Global Stage

New Kidnapping Trends on the Global Stage    The following summary was sourced from Frank Grimm, Director of Crisis Response Services for Constellis, an international security company, at the June 2017 Hostage US Annual Washington, DC Seminar.  The material is shared on an informational basis only and does not infer any formal relationship nor verification with the provider. Statistics of … Read More

WSJ: If You’re Arrested Abroad, the U.S. May Not Bail You Out

If You’re Arrested Abroad, the U.S. May Not Bail You Out The State Department needs to do a better job protecting travelers—and warning of the danger. By  Jared Genser July 23, 2017 I represent two Americans, Siamak Namazi and his father, Baquer, being held in deplorable conditions in Iran’s Evin Prison. Last October they were sentenced to 10 years on … Read More

What Doesn’t Kill Us: A guide to overcoming adversity and moving forward

Stephen Joseph gives the reader six steps to help manage our emotions and navigate adversity. These steps can help individuals find new meaning and purpose in their lives. In What Doesn’t Kill Us, Joseph challenges  people to look at the positive in difficult situations. To purchase this book, click on the link below: https://www.amazon.com/What-Doesnt-Kill-overcoming-adversity/dp/0749952407

Trauma: From Lockerbie to 7/7: How Trauma Affects Our Minds and How We Fight Back

This book by Gordon Turnbull discusses the history and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Turnbull tells stories of some of the people he has treated over the years and how he was able to help them rebuild their lives. Purchase this interesting book by clicking on the link below: https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Lockerbie-Affects-Minds-Fight/dp/0552158399

Post traumatic Stress: The Facts

  In this book Post-traumatic Stress: The Facts, authors Stephen Regel and Steven Joseph inform the audience of what PTSD is and other problems survivors might experience. The book touches on the types of support that should be provided in the early stages for individuals and their families. Purchase this book by clicking below: https://www.amazon.com/Post-traumatic-Stress-Facts-Stephen-Regel/dp/0199566585 

Grief in Children: A Handbook for Adults by Atle Dyregrov

Atle Dyregrov’s handbook discusses how children may react to the death of a loved one. He talks about how children are a lot more aware of situations then parents think and if parents are not open with them, it could lead to the children being confused. He also lists some possible ways that children could react to this horrible news. Check out … Read More

Coming Home | Royal Navy Guide

The Royal Navy created a booklet that can be used to help individuals returning home “recognize and deal with any pressures and issues that arise on their return from operational duties”. They discuss how individuals might respond once they come back home, the effects of talking about your experiences, how to cope, and ways that families can help survivors. To … Read More

Hostage Retrieval

Gordon Turnbull reviews “the facts and the emotional reactions” related to hostage situations in this article for the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Turnbull discusses the physical and psychological effects of being tortured, solitary and group confinement, and the process of debriefing prisoners-of-war and hostages. Read more of this interesting article below:

Preparing For the Worst- Death with no body

This article, “Bad Grief! When No Body Comes Home” talks about how not having a body to bury can negatively affect the grieving process. The article gives tips on how to deal with having a funeral without the body. Some of their suggestions are to have pictures or videos displayed and to create a memorial table filled with important items … Read More

Hostage US Launches Training for Organizations on Family Support and Hostage Reintegration

Hostage US launched tailored training available to organizations to educate employers on Duty of Care obligations to their employees in the case of an international kidnapping. Many organizations have tried and tested policies and procedures to handle to operational response to a kidnapping – covering prevention and response, yet most have not thought through the human dynamics of a hostage … Read More