To explore best practices in the mitigation of vicarious trauma in trauma-exposed workforces

When workers are repeatedly exposed to the suffering of others through their jobs - whether investigating child abuse, responding to emergencies, or analysing evidence of war crimes - the psychological impact can be profound.

This Fellowship, undertaken in 2024, explored emerging approaches to managing indirect trauma exposure using an occupational safety framework aligned with Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations. Through meetings with over 70 experts across seven countries, the project gathered emerging insights into redesigning workplace systems to reduce the impact of occupational exposure to traumatic events and materials.

Findings, published in early 2025, advocate for a shift away from viewing vicarious trauma as an inevitable and individual impact of trauma-exposed work, toward implementing effective control measures that align with employers' WHS duties to proactively manage psychosocial hazards.

The Fellowship report offers a practical framework for organisations seeking to move beyond traditional wellness initiatives toward embedding evidence-informed safety measures - working to sustain both essential services and the wellbeing of those who provide them.