This paper examines the experiences of police staff in England who work with sexual offence material (SOM). Eleven officers completed a questionnaire then took part in semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed in two stages: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to illuminate the ‘lived experience’ of participants, and establish a theme structure. Clinical models of workplace trauma were then employed to explore the theme ‘Impact of working with sexual offending’. Impact includes cognitive intrusions and increased suspiciousness. The authors identify where officers’ accounts intersect with nascent symptoms of both Vicarious Traumatisation (McCann and Pearlman, 1990) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This paper explores the coping strategies of UK police staff who are exposed to sexual offence material (SOM). Eleven police staff completed a questionnaire then took part in semi-structured interviews. Themes were identified using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). This paper explores the theme ‘Coping strategies for working directly with material’, focusing on the most common strategies employed: ‘Detachment’, ‘Avoidance’ and ‘Process-driven’ approaches. Links between coping and different features of SOM are examined, including victim characteristics and audio content. The impact of organisational factors which make coping strategies more or less effective are also explored, along with potential sources of support.

This article presents findings from a survey which explored exposure to sexual offence material in Police personnel ( N = 384). Factor analysis determined that two types of coping strategies were employed: ‘detachment’ and ‘avoidance’, with a further factor regarding ‘negative coping beliefs’. Two types of adverse impact analogous to post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were identified: ‘cognitive/affective changes’ and ‘increased suspicion/vigilance’. Multiple regression analysis found that avoidance-based coping strategies, holding negative beliefs about coping, being a parent, and having personally experienced sexual abuse were all predictive of increased levels of traumatic stress symptoms.

This paper explores the first author's experience of surviving a fall from height, as preparation for a small-scale phenomenological study with other fall survivors. In May 2018, I fell 20 ft (6.1m) from a mountain path and sustained multiple serious injuries. By exploring the experience using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the trauma surrounding the fall itself, and reflect on the experience of sharing personal trauma verbally and in writing. Five superordinate themes were established from the data: "Through the medical machine"; "Identity"; "Support systems"; "Coping" and "Aftermath." ARTICLE HISTORY