Sex Crimes Litigation as Hazardous Duty: Practical Tools for Trauma-Exposed Prosecutors, Defense Counsel, and Paralegals

Abstract

Criminal attorneys suffer symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress at greater levels than mental health clinicians. This article investigates the effects of attorney exposure to traumatic material in sex crimes cases, including child pornography. The article explores the differences and similarities in the manifestations of Secondary Traumatic Stress for prosecutors and defense counsel. With permission, the author reproduces several hard-to-find practical tools that have been developed to assist professionals of varied disciplines — including lawyers — in identifying and mitigating Secondary Traumatic Stress. While the article addresses special considerations for military attorneys, who are at even greater risks of secondary traumatization, the article is written for all attorneys who are exposed to traumatic case material.

Keywords: Secondary Traumatic Stress, Vicarious Trauma, Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Sex Crimes, Child Pornogaphy, Compassion Fatigue, Military Sexual Trauma