Holding Both: Understanding the Dual Role of Witness Aid Workers' Experiences Supporting Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in Metropolitan District Attorney Offices

Background: Social workers and advocates collaborate within district attorney (DA) offices and play pivotal roles in the support system for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors, navigating the complexities of the criminal legal system (CLS). These professionals experience unique stressors and challenges, including vicarious trauma (VT) and secondary traumatic stress (STS), within a prosecutorial context that has not been extensively explored. This study seeks to understand better the emotional and psychological impact of their work, and the pervasive influence of structural racism within the system.

Methods: This phenomenological study included in-depth interviews with 22 social workers and advocates from two large metropolitan district attorney offices that collectively handle 18,000 IPV cases annually. Conducted over three months in 2018, the research utilized purposeful sampling, ensuring a rich diversity of participant experiences. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo software to facilitate open coding and development of thematic headings and subheadings. To enhance the validity, the approach included member checking, where participants reviewed and confirmed the accuracy of thematic interpretations—the author’s ten years as a social worker in a DA's office and identity as a Black, Afro-Caribbean woman in a predominantly white legal system fueled reflexivity in this research, leading the author to carefully separate their biases and emotions through techniques like memoing and rigorous advisor consultations to ensure the integrity and credibility of the work.

Results: Analysis revealed five core themes: ‘bearing witness,’ stress, racism, vicarious trauma/secondary traumatic stress, and support. Participants described experiencing a range of physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms associated with VT and STS. They reported shifts in their worldviews, particularly regarding personal safety and intimacy. The nature of their work allowed them to bear witness to survivors' narratives, which, while stressful, also brought feelings of fulfillment and reward. Organizational frustrations were common, especially related to navigating CLS challenges, yet teamwork with prosecutors often brought significant rewards. Institutional racism was a profound stressor affecting all workers, with racial microaggressions particularly impacting workers of color, adding layers of stress to their daily responsibilities. Despite challenges, the study found that peer support and effective supervision were critical in helping workers manage the stresses of their roles.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings describe the everyday experiences of witness aid workers supporting IPV survivors within DA offices, highlighting significant stressors such as listening to trauma narratives, witnessing institutional racism, and experiencing vicarious trauma. Findings emphasize the need for robust support systems to minimize the impact of VT and STS and suggest that collaboration between social workers and lawyers can be crucial in reducing workplace stress. Active equity-based practices are recommended to address institutional racism and create more supportive work environments. Furthermore, social work education programs should consider incorporating forensic courses, IPV specializations, and anti-racist practice courses to prepare students for work in this challenging field. Further research is needed to explore stress among professionals in criminal legal settings and examine its long-term impact on mental health, and studies on vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress should include racism as a stress variable.