‘If I’m not real, I’m not having an impact’: relationality and vicarious resistance in complex trauma care

Delanie Woodlock; Michael Salter; Elizabeth Conroy; Jackie Burke; Molly Dragiewicz

doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcac054

‘If I’m not real, I’m not having an impact’: relationality and vicarious resistance in complex trauma care

Delanie Woodlock, Michael Salter, Elizabeth Conroy, Jackie Burke, Molly Dragiewicz

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

There is growing commitment to trauma-informed practice and increased recognition of risks associated with this work. However, the benefits of working with trauma-affected clients are under-studied. Drawing on interviews with sixty-three welfare, health and legal professionals in Australia, we consider the salutogenic dynamics of work with women with experiences of complex trauma. Participants articulated an ethics of care in which professionals ally with clients against abuse and violence as well as transactional neoliberal service models. We identify this approach to trauma work as a form of vicarious resistance that challenges dichotomies of vicarious trauma and resilience.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	4401-4417
Number of pages	17
Journal	The British Journal of Social Work
Volume	52
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcac054
Publication status	Published - Oct 2022
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

complex trauma
neoliberalism
resistance
vicarious trauma
vicarious resilience

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1093/bjsw/bcac054

Cite this

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AU - Dragiewicz, Molly

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KW - neoliberalism

KW - resistance

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