Vicarious Trauma Theory

Many studies on vicarious trauma focus on the helping careers of individuals (psychologists, counsellors, social workers) but limited studies have been conducted to survey the impact of the fact that police officers are regularly required to attend gruesome crime scenes and this makes them even more vulnerable to vicarious trauma than those dealing with the victims. Police don't only have to help the victims, but also face the crime scene and the criminals responsible. The research strategy and general description of the format of such a study will be provided. For this study, the Trauma Theory (Constructivist Self Development Theory, CSDT) will be used as the guide lining theoretical framework for explaining the experience of vicarious trauma.