The complexities of managing gendered violence in an English probation setting

Abstract

Examined in this article are two cases of women who have committed offences causing serious harm to others. Responses from probation practitioners are explored in the context of the women also being viewed as victims of extreme, long-term abuse and subsequent trauma. Organisational pressures and practitioners’ personal values are analysed to see in what ways interventions attempt to balance individuals’ offending and victimisation aspects, whilst also being mindful of traumatising effects of the criminal justice system itself and the impact on practitioners.

Operational and organisational stressors in community correctional work: Insights from probation and parole officers in Ontario, Canada

“…Consistent with the community correctional literature (Goldhill, 2019;Rhineberger-Dunn et al, 2016;Severson and Pettus-Davis, 2013), the primary operational stressor identified by PPOs was potential secondary trauma arising from exposure to details about the actions or personal histories of those under their supervision and victims. Respondents regularly identified the stress that secondary exposure could cause.…”

“…Unlike many other public safety personnel, community-based PPOs less frequently (although not rarely) respond directly to PPTEs; however, as part of their ongoing operational duties, PPOs regularly can experience vicarious or secondary trauma as they learn about the histories of those under their supervision ( Goldhill, 2019 ; Rhineberger-Dunn et al, 2016 ; Severson and Pettus-Davis, 2013 ). For example, PPOs speak with clients about their personal histories (which are often traumatic; Goldhill, 2019 ) and criminal offences, reading details about these crimes in reports and victims’ statements, or other documentation.…”

“…Unlike many other public safety personnel, community-based PPOs less frequently (although not rarely) respond directly to PPTEs; however, as part of their ongoing operational duties, PPOs regularly can experience vicarious or secondary trauma as they learn about the histories of those under their supervision ( Goldhill, 2019 ; Rhineberger-Dunn et al, 2016 ; Severson and Pettus-Davis, 2013 ). For example, PPOs speak with clients about their personal histories (which are often traumatic; Goldhill, 2019 ) and criminal offences, reading details about these crimes in reports and victims’ statements, or other documentation. Such exposure constitutes repeated indirect exposure to trauma and crimes, including crimes that are culturally and socially interpreted as disturbing, such as sex crimes or the victimization of children ( Catanese, 2010 ; Goldhill, 2019 ; Lewis et al, 2013 ; Morran, 2008 ; Rhineberger-Dunn et al, 2016 ; Severson and Pettus-Davis, 2013 ).…”

“…For example, PPOs speak with clients about their personal histories (which are often traumatic; Goldhill, 2019 ) and criminal offences, reading details about these crimes in reports and victims’ statements, or other documentation. Such exposure constitutes repeated indirect exposure to trauma and crimes, including crimes that are culturally and socially interpreted as disturbing, such as sex crimes or the victimization of children ( Catanese, 2010 ; Goldhill, 2019 ; Lewis et al, 2013 ; Morran, 2008 ; Rhineberger-Dunn et al, 2016 ; Severson and Pettus-Davis, 2013 ). Further, in some instances PPOs may interact directly with victims ( Lewis et al, 2013 ; Rhineberger-Dunn et al, 2016 ; Severson and Pettus-Davis, 2013 ).…”

Facilitators of probation-based domestic violence perpetrator programmes: ‘Who’s in the room?’

“…However, domestic abuse perpetrators may also be perpetrators of sexual violence and child abuse meaning that practitioners may be exposed to multiple stories of harm, trauma, and violence. Vicarious trauma can be particularly problematic for new staff (Lee, 2017a) while probation practitioners who have had their own encounters with trauma may become re-traumatised (Cluley and Marston, 2018; Goldhill, 2019).…”