1. The Nature of Trauma and the impact of media How can media help and not further traumatize the victims? Ma. Lourdes A. Carandang, Ph.D.

2. NATURE OF TRAUMA Psychological trauma is an affliction of the powerless Intense fear, helplessness, loss of control, threat of annihilation Confront the evil in human nature (Herman, 1992)

3. TRAUMA DESTROYS THE VICTIM’S: Fundamental assumption about the safety of the world (individual’s right for safety and protection) The positive value of the self (degraded, betrayed, abandoned) The meaningful order of creation (violates the child’s and adult’s basic need and right to feel safe, to be protected – basic emotional security and trust)

4. THE TRAUMATIZED PERSON GOES THROUGH : (Herman, 1992) Hyper-arousal – system on ‘red alert’ Intrusion – flashbacks, images, nightmares, disorganized, fragmented Constriction – numb, fearful, passive, child cannot play, adult limits life

5. There is always a tendency to discredit the victim Secrecy and silence are the first line of defense; if secrecy fails, the perpetrator attacks the credibility of the victim. This can further traumatize the individual

6. RECOVERY PROCESS STAGE 1 – establishing safety – physical and emotional safety (inner and outer) Need significant adult to TRUST Need to be protected from further trauma (confidentiality, predictability, and unconditional acceptance)

7. RECOVERY PROCESS Stage 2 –REMEMBERING and MOURNING to be able to tell the story – safe, understanding, listening believing adult Release from secrecy – media may come in but need for proper treatment

8. RECOVERY PROCESS Stage 3 – RECONNECTION – knows he/she has been traumatized, understands the effects, finds meaning (Herman, 1992) concrete steps to increase sense of power – JUSTICE MUST PREVAIL, PUNISH PERPETRATOR, KNOW WHOM TO TRUST, become ADVOCATE, HAVE SURVIVORS’ MISSION to help others

9. MEDIA: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD IT CAN HELP OR TRAUMATIZE HOW TO HELP? MUST BE EMPOWERING, NOT DEGRADING ENHANCE SELF-ESTEEM, NOT PUT DOWN RESPECT DIGNITY, NOT HUMILIATE IT MUST HIGHLIGHT LESSONS LEARNED, CONSEQUENCES OF WRONG DOING, RESOLUTION OF CRISIS

10. THE IMPACT OF MEDIA depends on several factors: Nature of the trauma Age and developmental stage of the individual Child’s or individual’s resiliency Kind of media treatment Stage of recovery (readiness)

11. KEY WORDS RESPECT – DIGNITY OF THE CHILD OR INDIVIDUAL – not discredit CONFIDENTIALITY/CONSENT CLEAR PURPOSE (not to sensationalize and glamorize, not just for show or to rate) CONSEQUENCES – resolution, justice SELF-ESTEEM EMPOWER

12. VICARIOUS TRAUMATIZATION (VT) people dealing with or even just witnessing a traumatic event are also traumatized “trauma is contagious”