Ms Alexandra Forlong1, Dr Nichola Tyler2, Professor Yvette Tinsley1
1Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand, 2Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Dr Nichola Tyler is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science. Nichola’s research focuses on improving understanding, assessment, and prevention of deliberate firesetting and arson, and justice professionals' wellbeing.
Abstract:
There is increased recognition of the impacts of secondary trauma exposure for those working in “back-office” roles of the Criminal Justice System (CJS), such as legal professionals. Police prosecutors are a unique group within the New Zealand (NZ) CJS, where staff consist of both non-constabulary qualified lawyers and police officers. Police prosecutors act as the primary criminal prosecutorial authority within the District Court of NZ, and as such encounter stressors such as a high workload and regular exposure to potentially traumatic materials (PTM). Using grounded theory, the current study qualitatively explored the experience of engaging with PTM in NZ police prosecutors, including the different ways they are exposed to PTM, the influence of previous frontline experiences and the impact PTM exposure has on their wellbeing. The study examined factors which exacerbate and alleviate the impacts of PTM exposure and help-seeking for wellbeing. Fifteen police prosecutors were recruited from across NZ. A descriptive model was developed which described police prosecutors’ experiences of working with PTM and comprised of four phases: preparation for the role, challenges of the working environment, nature and impacts of PTM exposure and strategies for managing wellbeing in the role. The research findings extend our understanding of the process of engaging with PTM for legal professionals and provides a rare insight into the role and experiences of police prosecutors. Areas for further research, as well as suggestions for policy and practice changes to better support police prosecutors working with PTM are highlighted.